“The light of the sun is the manifestation of the clarity of the sky; and the sky is the basic condition necessary for the manifestation of the sun’s light. So, too, in the sky two, three, four, or any number of suns could arise; but the sky always remains indivisibly one sky. Similarly, every individual’s state of presence is unique and distinct, but the void nature of the individual is universal, and common to all beings.”
– Namkhai Norbu
Practice Meetings
Friday June 19, 7:00pm
This Week’s Koan
Blue Cliff Record #20, Book of Serenity #80
“A Chin Rest, A Sitting Cushion”
Ryûge asked Suibi, “What is the meaning of the Patriarch’s coming from the west?”
Suibi said, “Bring me a chin rest.”
Ryûge brought one and gave it to him. Suibi took it and hit him.
Ryûge said, “You may hit me as you like. After all there is no meaning to the Patriarch’s coming from the west.”
Ryûge also asked Rinzai, “What is the meaning of the Patriarch’s coming from the west?”
Rinzai said, “Bring me a sitting cushion.”
Ryûge got one and gave it to Rinzai. Rinzai took it and hit him.
Ryûge said, “You may hit me as you like. After all there is no meaning to the Patriarch’s coming from the west.”
Later Ryûge became abbot of a temple. A monk asked him, “Master, at that time, when you asked Suibi and Rinzai about the meaning of the Patriarch’s coming from the west, did they clarify it or not?”
Ryûge said, “They clarified it all right. After all, there is no meaning to the Patriarch’s coming from the west.”