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Blue Cliff Record

Case 2: Not Clarity

Introduction by Wang-wu:

Heaven and earth are narrow. Sun, moon and stars all at once go dark. Even if blows of the staff fall like rain and shouts roll like thunder, you still haven’t lived up to the task of the fundamental vehicle of transcendence. Even the buddhas of all ages can only know it for themselves. The successive generations of ancestors have not been able to bring it up in its entirety. The treasury of teachings of the whole age cannot explain it thoroughly. Clear-eyed students cannot save themselves completely. When you get here, how will you ask for more instruction? To say the word, ‘Buddha,’ is trailing mud and dripping water; to say the word, ‘zen,’ is a face full of shame. Superior people who have studied it for a long time do not wait for it to be said. The incoming (???) beginners simply must investigate it and understand it.

The Case:

Chao-chou teaching the assembly said: The Great Way is not difficult. Just avoid picking and choosing. As soon as words are spoken, this is picking and choosing. This is clarity. This old fellow does not abide within clarity. Do you still hang onto anything, or not?

At that time a certain student asked: Since you don’t abide within clarity, what do you hang onto?

Chao-chou replied: I don’t know either.

The student said: Since you don’t know, teacher, why do you, nevertheless, say that you do not abide within clarity?

Chao-chou said: It’s enough to ask about the matter. Bow and withdraw.