“If you are a Buddhist, inspire yourself by thinking of the bodhisattva. If you are a Christian, think of the Christ, who came not to be served by others but to serve them in joy, in peace, and in generosity. For these things, these are not mere words, but acts, which go all the way, right up to their last breath. Even their death is a gift, and resurrection is born from this kind of death.”

 

-Jean-Yves Leloup — Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity

Practice Meetings

Tuesday Apr 2, 8:30am

Friday Apr 5, 7:00pm

This Week’s Reading

Thich Nhat Hanh, Old Path White Clouds, Chapter 37, “A New Faith”.

This Week’s Koan

Gateless Gate #23

“Think Neither Good Nor Evil”

The Sixth Patriarch was pursued by the monk Myõ as far as Taiyu Mountain.

The patriarch, seeing Myõ coming, laid the robe and bowl on a rock and said,

“This robe represents the faith; it should not be fought over. If you want to take it away, take it now.”

Myõ tried to move it, but it was as heavy as a mountain and would not budge. Faltering and trembling, he cried out,

“I came for the Dharma, not for the robe. I beg you, please give me your instruction.”

The patriarch said,

“Think neither good nor evil. At this very moment, what is the original self of the monk Myõ?”

At these words, Myõ was directly illuminated. His whole body was covered with sweat.

He wept and bowed, saying,

“Besides the secret words and the secret meaning you have just now revealed to me, is there anything else, deeper still?”

The patriarch said,

“What I have told you is no secret at all. When you look into your own true self, whatever is deeper is found right there.”

Myõ said,

“I was with the monks under Õbai for many years but I could not realize my true self. But now, receiving your instruction, I know it is like a man drinking water and knowing whether it is cold or warm. My lay brother, you are now my teacher.”

The patriarch said,

“If you say so, but let us both call Õbai our teacher. Be mindful to treasure and hold fast to what you have attained.”

Mumon’s Verse

You cannot describe it; you cannot picture it;

You cannot admire it; don’t try to eat it raw.

Your true self has nowhere to hide;

When the world is destroyed, it is not destroyed.