The Mirror and the Reflection
A Dharma teacher came to Master Huihai. This teacher was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures, precepts, and treatises, encountering no obstacles in his understanding of the sutras, vinaya, and sastras.
Dharma Teacher: “May I ask you one question?”
Huihai: “Freely scoop up the moon’s reflection from the deep pond.”
The Dharma teacher did not understand.
Dharma Teacher: “What is Buddha?”
Huihai: “That which can face its reflection in the clear pond – what else could be Buddha?”
Dharma Teacher: “How do you teach people?”
Huihai: “I have never taught anyone with any dharma.”
The Dharma teacher became angry. Then,
Huihai: “How do you teach people?”
Dharma Teacher: “I lecture on the Diamond Prajna Paramita Sutra.”
Huihai frowned:
“How many times have you lectured on it?”
Dharma Teacher: “I have lectured twenty times.”
Huihai: “Who spoke this sutra?”
Dharma Teacher: “Are you mocking me? How could you not know these are Buddha’s words?”
Huihai: “If you say the Tathagata had something to teach, that is slandering the Buddha and misunderstanding his words. However, if you say this sutra is not Buddha’s words, that is slandering the sutra. Venerable one, speak immediately.”
The Dharma teacher could not respond.
Huihai spoke again:
“The sutra says, ‘If one seeks me through form or sound, that person practices a deviant path and cannot see the Tathagata.’ Tell me, Venerable one, which is the Tathagata?”
The Dharma teacher finally lowered his head and said:
“Until now, I have been deluded about this matter.”
Huihai delivered the final blow:
“How can you speak of delusion when you haven’t even awakened?”
A Dharma teacher came to Huihai. He was someone who could explain Buddhist scriptures, precepts, and various doctrines with great erudition. In modern terms, he would be equivalent to a professor teaching at a Buddhist university.
Let’s examine his first question:
‘May I ask you one question?’
This is mere small talk. Those who have approached the essence to any degree do not speak like this. Huihai did not tolerate such superficial talk. He immediately shattered the illusion built up by the teacher’s knowledge.
‘Freely scoop up the moon’s reflection from the deep pond.’
Source: “선문답의 정수 전등록 강의: 더 나아갈 수 없는 길 3” (The Essence of Zen Questions and Answers – Lectures on the Transmission of the Lamp: The Path of No Further Progress, Vol. 3)
Original text from: 6gaknara.com
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