UnbornMind Zen

Posts Tagged ‘Bassui’

"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. What do you think about this?"  Bassui: "The Way is a fundamental part of everybody. Its essence is to penetrate enlightenment and to leave no trace of this attainment. If I were to explain this fundamental part, even the one word 'awaken' would add waves to a level surface. How much Read more [...]

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. Then no matter how hard I practice the kensho road to realization, I could not be expected to reach satori if my past karma were not right. Should I first try to practice a way that would set my karma right?”  Bassui: "It is evident that some people have a karmic inclination for the Read more [...]

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 way to full Self-realization. His own discussions with monks and nuns as well as lay adepts have been compiled under what has come to be known as ‘Mud and Water’, or Wadeigassui which is part of a longer title indicating that the talks originated Read more [...]

  Another monk stepped out and said: “I have already been able to meditate on emptiness.” Bassui responded: “Tell me how you meditate on emptiness.” The monk said, “During meditation I have complete control over scattered thoughts, and mind and body become one like a clear sky. At this time I have no doubt that my body and mind are originally empty.” Bassui: “That’s not meditating on emptiness. It’s merely the first view of emptiness aroused by all students Read more [...]