Linji's shout


Linji asked a monk: "Sometimes a Katsu is like the precious sword of the Vajra king (Diamond King); sometimes a Katsu is like a golden-maned lion crouching on the ground; sometimes a Katsu is like a probing pole (for fishing) to which a grass bushel is fastened to cast shade; and sometimes a Katsu is not used as a Katsu. How do you understand that?"

The monk hesitated and the master gave a Katsu.

* Katsu - (Linji) Rinzai's famous shout and favorite teaching device, pronounced "kaa."


commentary:
Once the distinction between self and others, inside and outside, big and small, good and bad, ignorance and wisdom, life and death, to have and not to have, etc. has been eliminated, then the truth of Zen and insight can be realized. This gives one a new life. To bring this about, one cannot employ thought; one has to use one's own perception.



一次,临济禅师对一学僧说:
“有时一喝如金刚王宝剑,有时一喝如踞地狮子,有时一喝如探竿影草,有时一喝不作一喝用。你了解吗?”
学僧: 我。。。
学僧正犹豫要回答,临济禅师便大喝。

评注:
把人我、内外、大小、好坏、迷悟、生死、有无等对立的观念全打消了,禅境与悟境才会出现,使你获得一个新的生命。而为寻求这境界,并不是用思维,是用自己的直观。


Related:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linji

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