Category Archives: Mud and Water: Bassui Zen

Enlightenment Woes

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Vajragoni

“It is said that when looking at the sayings and teachings of the Buddhas and patriarchs, if you look as one with fresh hatred looks upon an enemy, you will then for the first time be able to understand them. … Continue reading →

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The Fragrance of Suchness

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Vajragoni

“If you truly want to read the sutras, you first have to awaken the mind that does the reading. All formal readings from the sutras are ultimately destructive. The wonderful dharma of one’s mind does not change through successive eons; … Continue reading →

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The Worm of Attachment

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Vajragoni

Michael Page “There is not one among the good teachers from ancient times up to the present who hasn’t said that there is no Buddha existing outside of the mind. Though it is clear from this that all phenomena are … Continue reading →

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This Little Light of Mine

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Vajragoni

“It is said that when the Little Buddha is imprinted on the void and on the fragrance, one will receive unlimited merit. What does this mean?”  Bassui: “The student of the Way arouses a wise thought from his empty mind. … Continue reading →

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The Pure Lands

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Vajragoni

Bassui had the distinction of empowering others to see beyond their literal notions of the Buddha Pure Lands. However he would not make the attempt if the inquirers were exclusively attached to the phenomenal world and incapable of seeing beyond … Continue reading →

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Dark Buddha

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Vajragoni

“It is said that one who practices the Way will remove obstructing demons. If one simply practices zazen and doesn’t chant sacred words from sutras, by what grace will he remove these obstructions?”  Bassui: “A robber does not break into … Continue reading →

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Karmic Affinity

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Vajragoni

Robert Stewart “Within the teachings it is said that it is easy for one to believe if the karmic relationship with the teacher is right, and it is easy to enter if the karmic connection to the Way is right. … Continue reading →

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The True Body of the Precepts

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Vajragoni

Questioner: “If the essence of all the Buddha’s teachings were contained in the practice of looking directly into one’s nature and attaining Buddhahood, wouldn’t that make the formal practice of keeping the precepts meaningless?”  Bassui: “Keeping or violating the precepts … Continue reading →

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The Pure Zen of the Tathagatas

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Vajragoni

A layman asked: “Though Zen is said to be transmitted outside the scriptures and not through words, there are many more incidents of monks questioning teachers and inquiring of the Way than in the teaching sects. How can Zen be … Continue reading →

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Mud and Water: Bassui Zen

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Vajragoni

In November we will be spending time with the 14th century Japanese Zen Master Bassui—a name which means “far above average”, a title bestowed by Kohō Kakumyo ( 1271-1361) who was one of many renowned Dharma-masters Bassui encountered along the … Continue reading →

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