How Can Bodhi Grow?
Long ago, there was a monk named Walun who believed he had attained something through his own understanding. He composed a verse to express the world he thought he had realized:
“Walun has many talents,
Cutting off hundreds of thousands of thoughts in an instant.
Facing circumstances without giving rise to mind,
Bodhi grows day by day.”
Upon hearing this verse, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng clicked his tongue.
‘This fellow has not yet awakened. If people practice based on this verse, they will only increase their bondage. They will only sink deeper into their practicing self. Listen to my verse instead:’
“Huineng has no talent,
Hundreds of thousands of thoughts continue unceasing.
Facing circumstances, mind frequently arises,
How can Bodhi grow?”
‘How can Bodhi grow?’
The realm of enlightenment never increases or decreases. In the world of eternal life, there is no age. A world that increases and decreases might be the world of rubber bands, but it is not the world of eternal life.
Walun practiced meditation diligently. Whenever a hundred desires arose, he would say, ‘No, no,’ and cut them off. He did not give rise to mind when facing circumstances. He closed all doors. Thus, Walun became known for his diligent meditation. The arduously practicing Walun received much praise. However, while he might have received a perfect attendance award as an exemplary student, he could never graduate from that school.
Huineng had already graduated from such a school in his youth. He was completely free. When hundreds of thousands of thoughts arose, he would simply gaze at them. He had no attachment to them. He frequently gave rise to mind when facing circumstances. When there was joy, he rejoiced like a child; when there was sadness, he grieved like a drunken widow. His Bodhi did not grow. Having already attained eternal life, he had no need to worry about whether Bodhi grew or not.
Source: “선문답의 정수 전등록 강의: 더 나아갈 수 없는 길 2” (The Essence of Zen Questions and Answers – Lectures on the Transmission of the Lamp: The Path of No Further Progress, Vol. 2)
Original text from: 6gaknara.com
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