Jiufeng Daoqian
Jap., Kyuho Doken
Mt. Jiufeng (9 Peaks Mt.) Dao Sincere
| born: c. 850 died: c. 920 place: China |
| Chan master: Shishuang Qingzhu (J. Sekiso Keisho) Chan disciples: ... |
There are a number of different Chan masters
named Jiufeng, it being the name of a mountain
area and monastery in Jiangxi Province, China.
named Jiufeng, it being the name of a mountain
area and monastery in Jiangxi Province, China.
Jiufeng Daoqian was originally from Fuzhou.
| oshobob The Living Workshop |
| Zen Masters |
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| Kyushu said, “Our late teacher said, ‘You should be completely finished up, emptied away; one nen, one eon; you should be like cold ashes and the dead tree, like the incense burner on the deserted shrine, like the frozen lake, like a piece of glazed silk.’ Tell me, what does this mean?” The head monk said, “It means the realm of one color.” (That is, great enlightenment.) Kyuho said, “You do not understand our teacher’ s meaning.” The head monk ordered someone to fetch a packet of incense and said, “If I cannot pass away while this incense is burning, your words will be proved true.” He threw the incense into the burner. A cloud of white smoke rose, and while it still hung in the air, the monk passed away sitting up straight. Kyuho, stroking the dead monk’s back, said, “You could pass away sitting up straight, but you could never dream of our late teacher’s meaning.” This is going to be very hard. He has proved that he can empty himself – so much so that he can die out of his own will. As the incense burns and the smoke cloud moves away, he will be gone. Still Kyuho said, “You have not understood the meaning of beating the drum.” Why is he so hard about the poor fellow who has even died, emptied himself completely? He is hard because he is saying, “You have tried self- will by moving away your consciousness from the body like the smoke of the incense; you have made a great effort of the will, and in fact your will is your ego. You can do this, but you have not understood the meaning of beating the drum. You have emptied yourself, but you are there; you have proved yourself, but you are there... --Osho Live Zen, ch. 14 |