Longtan Chongxin
Jap., Ryutan Soshin (alt. Ryotan)
Dragon Pond Respect Trust
| born: c. 760 died: c. 840 place: China |
| stories: Osho This, This, A Thousand Times This: The Very Essence of Zen, ch. 7, ch. 9 No Water, No Moon, ch. 6 Ah, This!, ch. 5 |
Longtan came from what's now Jiangling, Hubei,
China. His family were cake sellers.
China. His family were cake sellers.
| oshobob The Living Workshop |
| Zen Masters |
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| Tokusan was studying Zen under Ryutan. One night Tokusan came to Ryutan and asked many questions. The teacher said, "The night is getting old – why don't you retire?" So Tokusan bowed, and as he opened the screen to go out he observed, "It is very dark outside." Ryutan offered Tokusan a lighted candle to find his way, but just as Tokusan received it, Ryutan blew it out. At that moment the mind of Tokusan was opened. What happened? Ryutan offered Tokusan a lighted candle. He said, "Okay, outside it is very dark, so you take this lighted candle to see the path." For the outside, candles can be offered, not for the inside – because how will you take a candle inside? For the inside, no candle can be offered from without. The master cannot give you the light which will enlighten you inside. In fact, inside the light has always been burning. It is there, but you go on looking outside. Once you look within, the light is there. It has always been there. You have never missed it for a single moment. You cannot miss it. It is your Tao, your nature, your very self – no need to offer any candle for the inside, and no candle can go inside... --Osho No Water, No Moon, ch. 6 |