What Mountain?
When you are sitting, imagine that you
are in the wilderness. In the middle there is a solitary mountain. You are sitting on the barren ground on top of the mountain, looking in the four directions, seeing far into the distance, without barriers or
boundaries. As you sit, you fill the whole world, completely relaxing your body and mind, abiding in the realm of the buddhas.
-Hongren
The mountain of dharma is pure,
The sea of dharma is clear,
The mirror of dharma is bright,
The lamp of dharma shines out.
- Shenxiu
Blue Cliff Record, Case 60:
Yunmen held out his staff and said to the assembled monks, "The staff has transformed itself into a dragon and swallowed up the universe! Where are the mountains, the rivers, and the great world?"
The Harmony of Difference and Sameness
The mind of the great sage of India
is intimately transmitted from west to east.
While human faculties are sharp or dull, the Way has no northern or southern ancestors.
The spiritual source shines clear in the light;
the branching streams flow on in the dark.
Grasping at things is surely delusion; according with sameness is still not enlightenment.
All the objects of the senses
interact and yet do not.
Interacting brings involvement.
Otherwise, each keeps its place
Sights vary in quality and form,
sounds differ as pleasing or harsh.
Refined and common speech come together in the dark,
clear and murky phrases are distinguished in the light.
The four elements return to their natures
just as a child turns to its mother;
Fire heats, wind moves,
water wets, earth is solid.
Eye and sights, ear and sounds,
nose and smells, tongue and tastes;
Thus with each and every thing,
depending on these roots, the leaves spread forth.
Trunk and branches share the essence;
revered and common, each has its speech.
In the light there is darkness,
but don’t take it as darkness;
In the dark there is light,
but don’t see it as light.
Light and dark oppose one another
like the front and back foot in walking.
Each of the myriad things has its merit,
expressed according to function and place.
Phenomena exist; box and lid fit.
principle responds; arrowpoints meet.
Hearing the words, understand the meaning;
don’t set up standards of your own.
If you don’t understand the Way right before you,
how will you know the path as you walk?
Progress is not a matter of far or near,
but if you are confused, mountains and rivers block your way.
I respectfully urge you who study the mystery,
do not pass your days and nights in vain.
By Shitou Xiqian (Sekito Kisen; 700-790)
