Category Archives: Wisdom from the Masters

Shih−t’ou (Sekito)

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Vajragoni

A little biographical sketch of todays favored Ch’an Master, from Suzuki’s Manual of Zen Buddhism: Shih−t’ou (Sekito) (700-790) whose family name was Chen came from the district of Tuan−chou. His other name was Hsi−ch’ien. While still young, his religious feeling … Continue reading →

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Allegiance to the Real

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Vajragoni

  Selections from The Bodhidharma Anthology [As the classic theoretician of the practice of gazing at the topic states, in this method the trainee is not to employ discriminative understanding, doctrinal understanding, thinking or calculation, intuition, verbal strategy, absolute nonchalance, … Continue reading →

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The Living Flame of the Unborn

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Vajragoni

John of the Cross (1542-1591) This Carmelite mystic, a true Black Dragon, once whispered the following—intended as an antidote for those afflicted by endless yearnings; with one paraphrased nuance: To reach satisfaction in all desire its possession in nothing. To … Continue reading →

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Who’s That Wriggling in Your Shoe?

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Vajragoni

    From Zen Master Keizan’s Transmission of Light (All passages taken from The Denkōroku: The Record of the Transmission of the Light; all Capitalized words are representative of THAT WHICH IS UNBORN, UNCOMPOSED, UNDYING and UNCREATED ) Once you … Continue reading →

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Light Triumphant

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Vajragoni

Zen Master Ejo Not fearing life and death is because of not seeing oneself. Not seeing oneself means not being self-conscious, not having a self-image. The light of great wisdom is thus impersonal, so the verse says that wisdom is … Continue reading →

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The Four Sufferings

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Vajragoni

  Shanhui (497-569) Poems of the Four States: I.Birth Relying upon the ovum, consciousness arises, birth arises from love and desire. In a time now past he grew up, today he returns as a child. The stars follow the cycle … Continue reading →

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For Suchness Sake

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Vajragoni

  More from Tōzan One day Dungshan said goodbye to Master Yunyan. Yunyan asked, “Where are you going?” “Although I’m leaving the master, I don’t know where I’ll end up.” “Aren’t you going to Hunan?” “No.” “Going to your native … Continue reading →

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Sea-Slug Dharma

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Vajragoni

  Master Dongshan Liangjie  (807-869  Jpn.: Tōzan Ryōkai) -The Nonsentient Expounds the Dharma- Dongshan next visited Master Guishan, and asked him, “I’ve heard that the National Teacher Huizhong taught that the nonsentient can expound the Dharma, I don’t understand the … Continue reading →

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Doing Nothing

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Vajragoni

  Master Yaoshan Weiyan (751-834) One day Yaoshan was sitting on a rock. Master Shitou asked, “What are you doing here?” Yaoshan replied, “Doing nothing (wu-wei)” “Then you’re sitting idly.” “To sit idly would be doing something.” “You said doing … Continue reading →

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The Terrible Twos

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Vajragoni

  From Hsin Hsin Ming The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. When love and hate are both absent everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set … Continue reading →

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