Rinzai got here to Zoden, and requested him, “Neither worldly nor sacred — I urge of you, grasp, communicate shortly!” Zoden stated, “I’m merely thus.” Rinzai gave a Katsu and stated, “This crew of shaved heads right here, what are you going to study right here?”
Commentary:
When Rinzai stated to Zoden, “Neither worldly nor sacred — I urge of you, grasp, communicate shortly!” he needed to see how properly Zoden might reveal the true-Self. Zoden, sensing Rinzai’s intention, manifested the true-Self by saying, “I’m merely thus.” Rinzai responded with a Katsu and revealed the true-Self yet another time by saying, “This crew of shaved heads right here, what are you going to study right here?”, by which he meant that the monastics there mustn’t attempt to attain enlightenment via educational studying, as a result of there’s nothing to study right here, within the true-Self.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All photos ©Simon Hathaway
