Wherein host and guest enjoy a figure-ground reversal and Roger interviews me. We briefly biograph, cover practice in part, and skip to the endless finish.
To all teachers, sentient and insentient, past, present, and future, thank you.
THE CASE
A monk asked Jōshū in all earnestness, “Does a dog have Buddha nature or not?” Jōshū said, “Mu!”
MUMON’S COMMENTARY
...
Now, how should you concentrate on Mu? Exhaust every ounce of energy you have in doing it. And if you do not give up on the way, you will be enlightened the way a candle in front of the altar is lighted by one touch of fire.
THE VERSE
Dog—Buddha nature!
The perfect manifestation, the absolute command.
A little “has” or “has not,”
And body is lost! Life is lost!
Quoted from The Gateless Gate:
https://www.amazon.ca/Gateless-Gate-Classic-Book-Koans/dp/0861713826
If you're interested in an accurate description of practicing the 無 kōan from someone who knows better than I, please see Corey Hess' excellent, evocative treatment:
https://youtu.be/87yUZ5EGYSA
See also Daido Loori Roshi's introduction to Zen training:
https://monasterystore.org/products/eight-gates-of-zen?_pos=1&_sid=541953426&_ss=r
I had the privilege of training at https://zmm.org/https://zmm.org/ for 13 of the most frustrating, rewarding months of my life.
From beneath the bottom of my heart, thank you.
For further detail, please consult the introduction to Victor Sogen Hori's wonderful Zen Sand:
https://www.amazon.ca/Zen-Sand-Capping-Phrases-Practice/dp/0824835077
And either/both of Meido Moore Roshi's brilliant books:
https://www.amazon.ca/Rinzai-Zen-Way-Guide-Practice/dp/1611805171
https://www.amazon.ca/Hidden-Zen-Practices-Awakening-Realization/dp/1611808464
You can find Roger on his website:
https://www.rogerthisdell.com/
You can find me and my scribblings on my website:
https://www.wystantbs.com/
And playing amongst the ashes of the trash-fire currently known as X:
https://twitter.com/WystanTBS
May you and all beings live happily, free from suffering in sympathetic joy and profound equanimity!
