Quotes of Lin-Chi

Floating_Abu

Dear Moderators: No General Buddhism section so I am not sure where to put this. Hence, I have placed this in General Banter

This section is for students of Zen Buddhism



A man of old said: 'Buddha is always present in the world, but is not stained by worldy dharmas.' Followers of the Way, if you want to become Buddha, don't go along with the ten thousand things.

When mind arises, all kinds of dharmas arise;
When mind is extinguished, all kinds of dharmas are extinguished.
When mind does not arise,
The ten thousand dharmas have no fault.

Neither in this world nor beyond this world is there any Buddha or any Dharma; they neither reveal themselves nor are they ever lost. Even if such things existed, they would only be words and writings for the guidance of little children, expedient remedies for illnesses, and displays of names and phrases. Moreover, names and phrases are not of themselves names and phrases; it is you, who right now radiantly and vividly perceive, know and clearly illumine [everything] - you it is who affix all names and phrases.

Translation courtesy Ruth Fuller Sasaki

Cinorjer

I love reading the stories and writings of Lin Chi. He articulated the Zen Way in a manner that was direct and uncompromising.

He was the one who spoke one of my favorite koans and one of the most famous, at least among Buddhists. "If you meet Buddha while on the road to enlightenment, kill him!" So why would a Master advise Buddhists to kill their founder, against all precepts? Sit down and meditate and find out. Widely misunderstood, as are most koans, but there you go.

And he seemed to have had a wicked sense of humor.

The Master was entering an army encampment to attend a dinner when he saw one of the officers at the gate. He pointed to a bare wooden gatepost and said, "A common mortal or a sage?" The officer had no reply. The Master struck the gatepost and said, "Even if you had managed a reply, it would still just be a wooden post!" With that he entered the camp.

Floating_Abu

The Master was entering an army encampment to attend a dinner when he saw one of the officers at the gate. He pointed to a bare wooden gatepost and said, "A common mortal or a sage?" The officer had no reply. The Master struck the gatepost and said, "Even if you had managed a reply, it would still just be a wooden post!" With that he entered the camp.

Thanks, C. I love a good laugh.

Appreciated,
Abu