10. Zen Masters Taego and Naong

  當機一句千古輝

  臨危不變是丈夫

  A phrase for the occasion shines

  For thousands of years;

  Keeping composure in the face of danger

  Deserves the name of jangbu, lover of dharma.

A wise phrase for the occasion is produced  like a bolt of lightning only by a great master. When Zen masters are engaged in discussions of dharma, their utterances and actions are as rapid as stone fire and lightning. He who is possesses these resources and qualities is sure to be admired for a long time. If you are not so acute or sharp as these masters, even though today is the last day of the retreat, you will not be able to do so. Keep alert always.

In the declining years of the Koryŏ Dynasty, when Buddhism was in a decline, Sŏnim Taego Pou (太古普愚), after attaining enlightenment, went to Sung China, harboring the lofty aspiration of having his chŏngpŏp chŏngan (正法正眼), the right dharma and the right eye of wisdom, approved by the Chinese patriarch of Zen Buddhism. While on his pilgrimage, he called on Master Shih-wu Ching-hung (石屋淸珙). After offering three bows, he said, "I'm here from Koryŏ to be taught."

After an exchange of greetings, Patriarch Ching-hung questioned, saying, "Why did heavenly women offer meals and why did birds collect flowers for Master Niu-t'ou Fa-yung (牛頭法融) before Zen  paid a visit to the fourth patriarch Tao-shin (道信)?"

To this, he answered, saying "Everybody loves wealth."

"Then why did the heavenly women not offer meals to him, and why did birds not bring flowers to   him after he had paid a visit to Tao-shin?"

"Anyone who is leading an ascetic life is kept at bay."

"Was there antiquity before kalpa, or chaos?"

"Before kalpa, there was."

To this, handing the chujangja over to Sŏnim Pou, he said, "Since I have not used up this chujanga, I'm going to give it to you. I want you to guide people and save them from the misery of life."

This is how the Buddhist law of wisdom was transmitted to Koryŏ, serving as the torchlight of Buddhism in Korea.

In the same era as Taego Pou, Sŏnim Naong Hyekŭn (懶翁惠勤) of Koryo went to China and received insight into the truth of Buddha after visiting Chih-kung (指空 Dhyanabhadra). Thereafter, he paid a courtesy call to Zen Master P'ing-shan Ch'u-lin (平山處林). "Where do you come from?" P'ing-shan asked.

"I come from Peking."

"Who did you meet there?"

"I met Honorable Great Master Chih-kung."

"What was his daily routine life?"

"He uses one thousand swords every day."

"Apart from one thousand swords, show me the use of your own sword."

Hearing this, Naong struck him with his cushion, sending  Ch'u-lin falling upside down on the desk, exclaiming, "This thief is killing me!"

Helping him up, Naong said, "My sword is sometimes used for killing, and other times for saving people."

At this, Ch'u-lin was delighted, saying "You are gifted with the eye of wisdom." He approved Ch'u-lin's enlightenment, and handed his robe and brush down to him.

Do you understand these two Zen priests? Today, let me offer you my comment on my two predecessors' responses to the Chinese patriarchs. My  comment to Sŏnim Bowoo's first response is :

相隨來

They attract each other.

 My response to Sŏnim Bowoo's second response is:

相隨來

They attract each other.

And my comment to Zen Master Naong's response is:

三皇冢裏草依依

The three Emperors' tombs are full of grass.

[In commemoration of the termination of the winter retreat,1990]

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