“I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha.” He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.”
-Herman Hesse
Practice Meetings
Friday Apr 24, 7:00pm
This Week’s Koan
Gateless Gate #13, Book of Serenity #55
“Tokusan’s Bowls”
One day Tokusan went down toward the dining room, holding his bowls.
Seppõ met him and asked, “Where are you off to with your bowls? The bell has not rung, and the drum has not sounded.”
Tokusan turned and went back to his room.
Seppõ mentioned this to Gantõ, who remarked, “Tokusan is renowned, but he does not know the last word.”
Tokusan heard about this remark and sent his attendant to fetch Gantõ. “You do not approve of me?” he asked.
Gantõ whispered his meaning.
Tokusan said nothing at the time, but the next day he ascended the rostrum, and behold! he was very different from usual!
Gantõ, going toward the front of the hall, clapped his hands and laughed loudly, saying, “Congratulations! Our old man has got hold of the last word!
From now on, nobody in this whole country can outdo him!”