Fan Hsien-chien used to sit constantly, never lying down. When she heard that Yuan-we was at Chao-cheuh temple in Ch'eng-tu [the province where she lived], she went to pay her respects to him and asked for guidance in the Way. Yuan-wu told her to contemplate the saying, "It's not mind, it's not Buddha, it's not a thing."
She contemplated it for a long time without sucess. Finally, in frustration, she asked Yuan-wu, "What expedient method do you have to make it easier for me to understand?"
Yuan-wu said, "There is a method," and he had her contemplate simply, "What is it?"
Later she had an awakening and said, "After all, it was always so close!"
Commentary
As with the last post, Chiao-an Awakens, this is a Song Dynasty story involving Yuan-wu. Both stories are notable because the woman practitioner is recognized with a name. In the stories from the earlier Tang Dynasty, most women are simply known as "a nun," "a woman," or a "grandmother."
As Fan Hsien-chien says, it is always so close. Why do we need a method?
Source: The Roaring Stream, edited by Nelson Foster and Jack Shoemaker
Photo by ex.libris
Nice. Method, no-method, don't know-method. Where? I think Winnie the Pooh had an answer when Tigger was finding other Tiggers but couldn't find any... Thank you, Barry!
Posted by: Uku | January 04, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Ah! Sounds so easy yet so subtle! It is always around, always close and yet it can be the most difficult thing to find or understand...:) I do like it in this story that the teacher gave another way of contemplation to student. Nothing like a compassionate teacher who can help you see the way.
Posted by: Taru Sharma | January 04, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Hi Uku - The Pooh Bear had remarkable insight into situation, relationship, and function.
Hi Taru Sharma, thanks for visiting again! Yes, indeed, a good teacher gives the right medicine at the right time!
Posted by: Barry | January 04, 2009 at 08:37 PM
I need a method. That's for sure. And maybe one day I won't need a method. What is discipline without a method?
Posted by: molly | January 05, 2009 at 09:09 AM
We're all hungry for methods, Molly. But I wonder how any method could respond fully to the remarkable diversity and "aliveness" of life?
Posted by: Barry | January 05, 2009 at 05:26 PM
I think there is no white and black answer for this. However, I have noticed that different things appeal to different people depending on their nature. Every one kind of has their own method and it is nice when a teacher is willing to work with a student in the sphere of his/her individuality.
Metta
-Taru
Posted by: Taru Sharma | January 06, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Yes, indeed, Taru. And then, when the method no longer responds to the reality of our life, we discard it and find a new one.
Posted by: Barry Briggs | January 06, 2009 at 09:11 PM