Yuanwu Keqin
Jap., Engo Kokugan
| born: 1063 died: 1135 72 years place: China |
originally from Sichuan Province, China
Yuanwu was the Chan master who took Xuedou's (J.
Setcho) book of 100 Chan stories and verses, and
added his own commentaries, the resulting "book" is
called The Blue Cliff Record (Ch., Biyan Lu), one of
the most well-known and extensive records in the
vast Zen literature. His disciple Dahui (old W.G. "Ta
Hui") also became a unique Zen master--Osho has
dedicated an entire book based on his writings, The
Great Zen Master Ta Hui.
Yuanwu was the Chan master who took Xuedou's (J.
Setcho) book of 100 Chan stories and verses, and
added his own commentaries, the resulting "book" is
called The Blue Cliff Record (Ch., Biyan Lu), one of
the most well-known and extensive records in the
vast Zen literature. His disciple Dahui (old W.G. "Ta
Hui") also became a unique Zen master--Osho has
dedicated an entire book based on his writings, The
Great Zen Master Ta Hui.
aka: "Foguo"
| stories: Osho The Buddha: The Emptiness of the Heart, ch. 8 The Great Zen Master Ta Hui, ch. 1 |
| oshobob The Living Workshop |
| Zen Masters |
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| Engo said: The enlightened man enjoys perfect freedom in active life. He is like a dragon supported by deep waters, or like a tiger that commands its mountain retreat. The man who is not enlightened drifts about in the affairs of the world. He is like a ram that gets its horns caught in a fence, or like a man who waits for a hare to run against a tree stump and stun itself. The enlightened man’s words are sometimes like a lion crouched to spring, sometimes like the diamond king’s treasure sword. Sometimes their effect is to shut the mouths of the world-famed ones, sometimes it is as if they simply follow the waves coming one after another. When the enlightened man meets others who are enlightened, then friend meets friend. He values them, and they encourage each other. When he meets those who are adrift in the world, then master meets disciple. His way of dealing with such people is farsighted. He stands firm before them, like a thousand-fathom cliff. Therefore it is said that the way of the absolute is manifest everywhere: it has no fixed rules and regulations. The master sometimes makes a blade of grass stand for the golden-faced buddha, sixteen feet high, and sometimes makes the golden-faced buddha, sixteen feet high, stand for a blade of grass. On another occasion, Engo said: The universe is not veiled; all its activities lie open. Whichever way he may go, the enlightened man meets no obstruction. At all times he behaves independently. His every word is devoid of egocentricity, yet still has the power to kill others. Once the delusive way of thinking is cut off, a thousand eyes are suddenly opened. One word blocking the stream of thought, and all non-actions are controlled. Is there anyone who would undergo the experience of dying the same death and living the same life as the buddha? Truth is manifest everywhere. This is the last talk of the series called The Buddha: The Emptiness of the Heart. It is very appropriate – exactly the right time – that you have brought the great master Engo’s statement about the enlightened man. For centuries man has been thinking about the definition of enlightenment. A long succession of efforts have been made, but nobody has been able to bring a perfect definition of enlightenment, or of enlightened men. Engo comes very close, almost to the point; hence he has to be heard with absolute silence. He is saying something which is difficult to say. His effort is tremendously valuable... --Osho The Buddha: The Emptiness of the Heart, ch. 8 |