“When you do something, you should do it with your whole body and mind; you should be concentrated on what you do. You should do it completely, like a good bonfire. You should not be a smoky fire. You should burn yourself completely. If you do not burn yourself completely, a trace of yourself will be left in what you do.”
-Shunryu Suzuki
Practice Meetings
Friday June 12, 7:00pm
This Week’s Koan
Blue Cliff Record #56
“One Arrow Pierces Three Barriers”
Zen traveler Liang asked Qinshan, “So what about the time when one arrowhead destroys three barriers?”
Shan said, “To see it, liberate and produce the host within the barriers.”
Liang said, “Knowing in this way, then to pass across one must transform.”
Shan said, “What time is there for further waiting?”
Liang said, “A well released arrow does not show the place it is at.” Then he exited.
Shan said, “For the time being, come on instructor.”
Liang started to turn his head.
Shan held and stopped him and said, “As it is for the time being, cease with the ’One arrowhead destroys three barriers.’ Test it with me: shoot an arrow and see.”
While Liang was deciding what to discuss, Shan hit him seven times with a stick and said, “We’ll wait for 30 years further with this fellow’s doubt.”