Just as Yüan-wu approached the teaching seat on the day he began to teach at Chia-shan, Yü bounded forth from the assembly.
She gave him a nudge with her body and went back into the crowd.
Yüan-wu said, “When you see the strangeness as not strange, the strangeness disappears of itself.”
The next day Yüan-wu went to her house. She shouted, “Such a yellow-mouthed little boy—and you say you’re a teacher?”
Yüan-wu said, “Don’t brag so much, lady. I’ve recognized you.”
Then she laughed and came out to meet him.
Commentary
This story from an Sung Dynasty teacher falls outside the time period of the most of the other stories this blog. But its charm argues for its inclusion. Beginning in the Sung Dynasty, women Zen practitioners gain
greater prominence in the records and more of them are named. In part this is due to the greater emphasis on record-keeping during this period. During the “Golden Age” of Zen in the T’ang Dynasty, record-keeping was hit-and-miss and official "records" were sometimes created long after a teacher’s death.
Source: The Roaring Stream, edited by Nelson Foster and Jack Shoemaker
Photo by foundphotoslj
Really enjoying the blog Barry!
Curious if the source gives any clue to the meaning of "yellow-mouthed" - I would take it to mean cowardly speech in a sense, but not so sure if that is what it would mean in Chinese? Colours can have quite different semantics across cultures!
~gassho~
Posted by: Puerhan | February 08, 2009 at 02:41 AM
Hi Puerhan - The editors of Roaring Stream don't say anything about "yellow-mouthed." The meaning here doesn't quite seem to be cowardice. But it's clear an insult...
I Googled "yellow-mouth" and found a yellow mouth moray eel - quite a image of a Zen master!
Thanks for your comment!
Barry
Posted by: Barry | February 08, 2009 at 08:33 AM
"When the strangeness does not appear to be strange any more", I am impressed by the words he used. I am thankful for the practice, it gives us a chance to "see". Isn't it amazing how much the mind can fabricate!!! Amazing fabricating tool!!
Posted by: MyoChi | February 12, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Hi MyoChi - this amazing mind - with all its fabrications, with nothing but fabrication - is in fact Buddha. Thanks for visiting!
Posted by: Barry | February 12, 2009 at 08:01 AM