Rinzai was asleep within the meditation corridor. Obaku got here down the corridor, noticed him there, and struck the sounding board as soon as together with his workers. Rinzai lifted his head, however when he noticed it was Obaku, he went again to sleep. Obaku once more gave a whack on the sounding board, then went as much as the top monk who was sitting in meditation, and stated, “The younger one down the corridor is really sitting. You along with your fancy notions, what are you doing right here?” The pinnacle monk stated, “What does this outdated fellow need of me?” Obaku gave yet one more stroke on the sounding board and left.
Commentary:
Obaku examined Rinzai by placing the sounding board to see if he was deluded by the phantasm of the sounding board.
When woken up by the sound of the sounding board Obaku struck together with his workers, Rinzai went again to sleep after seeing it was Obaku. Seeing by means of Rinzai’s behaviour like this, Obaku authorized him by giving one other whack on the sounding board. This half could look like complicated, or deceptive as a result of it might probably appear to encourage those that practise sitting-meditation into sleeping. In actual fact, Rinzai meant that within the state of Vacancy there was no distinction between Obaku’s placing the sounding board and his sleeping. Obaku examined the top monk to see whether or not he was deluded by phrases by means of praising Rinzai and scolding him. The pinnacle monk, aware of Obaku’s intention, misplaced no time in responding by remarking, ‘What does this outdated fellow need of me?’ Obaku authorized him by placing the sounding board.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All pictures ©Simon Hathaway
