From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
In Zen analects, fierce dialogues between Zen masters are featured.
Zen master Huángbò challenged Zen master Zhàozhōu by locked himself into his residence and asked Zhàozhōu to meet him. Zhàozhōu called a false fire in the preaching theatre next to Huángbò, thus Huángbò had to get out and caught Zhàozhōu.
The subject is the answer by Zhàozhōu when Huángbò demanded Zhàozhōu an explanation. “It is too late to mention.”
Ka whakatikahia te kōpere i muri i te pūrere a te hoariri
Hei tā te kōrero o te marama i te wāhanga Hapani o te Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
Mā ngā pukapuka matua mō Zen ka whakamohiotia ngā kōrerorero i ngā waenganui i ngā rangatira o Zen.
I karanga Rangatira Huángbò ki Rangatira Zhàozhōu. Engari, kua katia te kainga o Huángbò. I kōrero parau Zhàozhōu i te ahi parau o te whare nui. Kua mau Huángbò i Zhàozhōu a ka uiui.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
This refers to the ceremony of ancient China where the emperor prayed the heaven and the earth for lasting peace of the dynasty.
In Zen, it is interpreted as the nature of the tranquility achieved by enlightenment. Here the mountain signifies the observance of universal laws. The enlightenment is achieved only by the observance of universal laws.
Ka whakahoki te maunga teitei ki te inoi mō te whakaaio
Hei tā te kōrero o te marama i te wāhanga Hapani o te Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
Ko ‘fēngshàn’ te whakanuitanga ki te rangi me te whenua mō te wakaaio o te emepaea tawhito i Haina. Ko te maunga tentei te tohu o te tikanga o te ao tukupū. Mā te whakatātare ki te tikanga o te ao tukupū ka houhou koe i te mātauranga.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
“The old man lost his horse” is a Chinese proverb. In the Zen adage of the subject above, I swapped it with the butterfly effect which is more widely known in the English speaking world. The wisdom also has some in common with Prayers for Serenity, Peace and Strength as both refer to the importance of accepting of what cannot be changed and living happily anyway.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
Understanding of the ultimate truth or enlightenment is said to bring five happinesses like the five petals of Japanese apricot or ume flower: 1. longevity, 2. prosperity, 3. healthiness, 4. cultivation, 5. fulfilment.
I think these qualities of happiness should not be taken as materialistic or physical.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
My take on this maxim is the difference between the holistic wisdom and the analytic knowledge. When you personify enlightenment, or one with the ultimate truth, who asks a question about it? Asking a question is representing that you are in the third person viewpoint and not one with the ultimate truth.