Chiao-an was the niece of a high official of the Sung dynasty. When she was young, she set her heart on the way of Ch’an; she decided early on not to marry or bear children.
She experienced clear awakening at the words of Yüan-wu as he spoke to the assembly.
Yüan-wu said to her, “You should go on to erase your views—then you will finally be free.”
She answered in verse,
The pillar pulls out the bone sideways;
The void shows its claws and fangs;
Even if one profoundly understands,
There is still sand in the eye.
The void shows its claws and fangs;
Even if one profoundly understands,
There is still sand in the eye.
Commentary
This story originated in the Song Dynasty, not the Tang, but I include it in this collection for two reasons. First, Yuan-wu was the author/compiler of the Blue Cliff Record, an important collection of kong-ans. Second, Chiao-an's poem is remarkably sharp and thus worthy of wider recognition.
Photo by Brad Swick
I find this verse very important to our practice:
"There is still sand in the eye."
Thank you Barry for your wonderful post!
With palms together,
Uku
Posted by: Uku | December 30, 2008 at 01:57 AM
Thank you, Uku! Yes, there is still sand in the eye.
Posted by: Barry | December 30, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Barry,
Does there HAVE to be sand in the eye?
Palms together,
Molly
Posted by: molly | December 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
If one profoundly understands, then one will be forever blinded.
My understanding of this poem...
Posted by: Barry | December 30, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Barry,
Thank you so very much.
Clearly the poem is pure guts and viscera.
Ah yes, this reminds of something long ago. "Buddhas are enlightened about their delusions. Fools are deluded about enlightenment." Or something like that.
I wonder Barry, without the sand where would be buddha be? ;-)
Happy New Year,
"Y"
Posted by: Yamakoa | December 31, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Y: Black type on white screen. Where is sand?
Posted by: Barry Briggs | December 31, 2008 at 12:20 PM
A pearl just for you!
Have a wonderful new year.
"Y"
Posted by: Yamakoa | January 01, 2009 at 04:17 PM
I was absolutely thrilled to see this website! I have been looking into role of women in zen and reading some material on it. Thank you for putting this site together.
Metta
-Taru
http://myzenexperience.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Taru Sharma | January 02, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Hi Taru Sharma, thank for visiting Zen Women! I have about 10 or so more stories to post - and unless more come to my attention, that will be it for Tang Dynasty stories involving women Zen practitioners. I do hope these stories help broaden our view of this foundational period of Zen.
In the Dharma,
Barry
Posted by: Barry | January 03, 2009 at 02:46 PM