Te-shan was traveling to the south in search of the Dharma when he came across a woman on the roadside selling refreshments. He asked her, "Who are you?"
She responded, "I am an old woman selling rice cakes."
He said, "I'll take some rice cakes."
She said, "Venerable priest, why do you want them?"
He said, "I'm hungry and need some refreshments [Ch. tien-hsin].
She said, "Venerable priest, what are you carrying in your bag?"
He said, "Haven't you heard that I am 'King of the Diamond Sutra?' I have thoroughly penetrated all of its levels of meaning. Here I have my notes and commentaries on the scripture."
Hearing this, the old woman said, "I have one question. Venerable priest, may I ask it?" He said, Go ahead and ask it."
She said, "I have heard it said that according to the Diamond Sutra, past mind is ungraspable, present mind is ungraspable, and future mind is ungraspable. So where is the mind [hsin] that you wish to refresh [tien] with rice cakes? Venerable priest, if you can answer, I will sell you a rice cake. But, venerable priest, if you cannot answer, I will not sell you any rice cakes.
Te-shan was struck speechless, and the old woman got up abruptly and left without selling Te-shan a single rice cake.
Commentary
Zen Master Seung Sahn comments [The Whole World Is A Single Flower]: Silence is better than holiness, so one action is better than all the sutras. If you are attached to words and speech, you won't understand a melon's taste; you will only understand its outside form. If you want to understand a melon's taste, then cut a piece and put it in your mouth. A melon grows and ripens by itself; it never explains to human beings its situation and condition.
If you are attached to the sutras, you only understand Buddha's speech. If you want to attain Buddha's mind, then from moment to moment put down your opinion, condition, and situation. Only help all beings. Then Buddha appears in front of you. This is enlightenment and freedom from life and death.
Koan Source: Opening A Mountain by Steven Heine
Commentary Source: The Whole World Is A Single Flower by Zen Master Seung Sahn
Photo by Jun
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