if you can penetrate “i don’t know”

 

Emperor Wu

of Liang asked Bodhidharma,

“I have built temples and had monks

ordained without number: what merit is there

in this?” Bodhidharma said, “There is no merit.”

The emperor said, “Why no merit?” Bodhidharma

said, “These are just the lesser fruits of gods

and men, causes of defilement: like

shadows following shapes,

though they’re there,

they’re not

real.”

 

The Emperor

said, “What is true merit?”

Bodhidharma answered, “The subtle

perfection of pure wisdom, its essence naturally

empty and still. Such merit is not to be sought with worldly

means.” Only then did the Emperor ask, “What is the

highest meaning of the holy truths?” Bodhidharma

answered, “Empty, without holiness.”

The Emperor said, “Who is facing

me?” Bodhidharma replied,

“I don’t know.”

 

The Emperor

did not understand, so

Bodhidharma crossed the river

into Wei. If you want to see real merit

right now, don’t look for it anywhere else,

just comprehend it in “I don’t know”.

If you can penetrate those three

words, the task of your whole

life’s study will be

completed.

 

Dahui

 

marry mind to breath and look within

joni niemala

 

The

entirety

of the Oneness is

contained within you.

Don’t believe it?

Go look.

 

The

senses can’t perceive it.

Thought fails to apprehend it.

Approach by sacrificing all knowing

and doing, though, and it 

envelops you.

 

Marry

mind to breath and

look within until all false

concepts and imaginings

come to an end. This

is the center of

the Way.
 

 

Wei wu Wei Ching, Chapter 63

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those who follow tao

always at peace

 

Those who follow

Tao strive for perfection,

but they are wary about being called

prophets. That is a limited role. Being a prophet

represents a great trap baited with the temptation of

self-importance. The ultimate aim of following

Tao is to transcend identity. Those who call

themselves prophets or even masters

maximize their identities.

 

It is far better

not to be a prophet, and to

eschew the responsibilities, limitations,

and temptations. It is far better to be obscure

and to be thought stupid. Having someone call you

by a title is an interference that you don’t need.

When you are seeing the greatest wonder

of your life, the last thing you want

is to have someone blocking

the light. 

 

Deng Ming-Dao

 

a time of darkness comes to a close

patricia r. miranda

 

Receiving

this hexagram is a sign

that you have reached a turning point.

This moment is akin to the winter solstice: the

greatest adversity is past, and the light is beginning

to return. Nonetheless, one cannot force the

completion of the change, and it is wise

to rest. Act only when you can move

gently and innocently, and all

will be well.

 

Fu also comes

as a reminder to return

to the light in yourself. Growth is only

possible when we relinquish the expressions of

the ego: pride, impatience, anger, and desire.

To act forcefully or ambitiously

now will only generate

misfortune.

 

Let things

develop naturally, in their

own way. Simply observe and accept

changes as you observe and accept the rising

of the sun. Allow yourself to rest and gather strength

for a time of growth ahead. By holding to modesty,

gentleness, and correct conduct, you prepare

the ground for a fruitful blossoming

when the light fully

returns.

 

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 24, Fu / Return

 

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