Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings (126 page)

When Touzi was near death, he composed a poem:

As the abbot of two temples,
I couldn’t assist the Buddha way.
My parting message to you all,
Don’t go seeking after something.

Touzi then put down the brush and passed away.

Upon his death, Touzi received the posthumous name “Zen Master Complete Compassion.”

XINGYANG QINGPOU

XINGYANG QINGPOU (n.d.) was a disciple of Dayang Jingxuan. He lived and taught on Xingyang Mountain in ancient Yingzhou. Although he was a prominent successor of Dayang, he unfortunately did not outlive his teacher, nor did he have any Dharma heirs to carry on the Caodong line.

The
Wudeng Huiyuan
records an event that occurred when Xingyang worked as the head gardener at Mt. Dayang.

When Xingyang was chief gardener he was tending the melons. Dayang asked him, “When will the sweet melons be ripe?”

Xingyang said, “Now they’re already very ripe.”

Dayang said, “Pick the sweet ones and take them away.”

Xingyang said, “To whom shall I give them?”

Dayang said, “Give them to someone who hasn’t been in the garden.”

Xingyang said, “Do you think that people who haven’t been in the garden will eat them?”

Dayang said, “Do you know these people or not?”

Xingyang said, “Although I don’t know them, I can’t help but provide for them.”

Dayang laughed and went off.

After becoming the abbot of a temple, Xingyang entered the hall and addressed the monks, saying, “The principle of the great way that came from the west cuts off the hundred negations. Words that accord with the essential teaching go on without end. But what benefit could there be in just arduously submitting to the teachings of our school? Although it’s like this, there are many different affairs to deal with. But in the teaching of our school, there is only one path that passes through. Everyone discuss this!”

A monk asked Xingyang Qingpou, “When the Sagara Dragon emerges from the sea, the entire universe shudders.
¹⁷⁷
At just such a time, how is this expressed?”

Qingpou said, “The Garuda King confronts the universe! Among you here, who can come forth?”

The monk asked, “If suddenly someone comes forth, then what?”

Qingpou said, “It’s like a falcon striking a pigeon. You don’t believe me. If you can experience it behind your skull, then you’ll at last realize the truth.”

The monk said, “In that case, I’ll just fold my hands on my chest and retreat three steps.”

Qingpou said, “The tortoise that upholds Mt. Sumeru won’t tolerate another one going back with a dot on its forehead!”
¹⁷⁸

A monk asked Qingpou, “Where have all the ancient saints gone?”

Qingpou said, “The moon peacefully shines on the thousand rivers. Its solitary light illuminates to the bottom of the sea.”

Zheng Jinbu asked, “At what time did you go into the hall [begin teaching]?”

Qingpou said, “I do not enter the hall as one of a succession of monks. Rather, I enter the hall and speak before the sun and moon were born.”

When Qingpou was ill in bed, Dayang said to him, “The body is an illusion, and within this illusion affairs are carried out. If not for this illusion, the great matter would have no place from which to be undertaken. If the great matter is undertaken, it is seen to be an illusion. What do you say?”

Qingpou said, “There is still this matter here.”

Dayang said, “And what is that matter?”

Qingpou said, “Encircling the earth, the lustrous crimson orb. At ocean bottom, not planting flowers.”

[Qingpou paused and closed his eyes.]

Dayang smiled and said, “Are you awake?”

Qingpou said, “I’ve forgotten what I was about to say.”

He then passed away.

TIANYI YIHUAI

TIANYI YIHUAI (993–1064) was a student of Xuedou Chongxian in the Yunmen school. He came from the coastal city of Leqing in what is now Zhejiang Province. The son of a fisherman, Tianyi infuriated his father when he jumped out of the fishing boat rather than kill fish. As a youngster he entered Tiantong Monastery as a novice monk.
¹⁷⁹
Around the year 1027, after passing scriptural examinations, Tianyi set off to live and practice at various temples.
¹⁸⁰
During this period he developed doubts about his faith and practice. An old monk named Fahua admonished him, “Go to Yunmen and Linji!”

Thus, Tianyi traveled on to Cuifeng Temple in Suzhou, where he met the great Zen teacher, Xuedou Chongxian.

At their first encounter, Xuedou said, “What is your name?”

Tianyi said, “Yihuai.”

Chongxian said, “Why isn’t it Huaiyi?” [Reversing the order of the two characters of this name creates the Chinese word “doubt.”]

Tianyi said, “The name was given to me.”

Chongxian said, “Who gave you this name?”

Tianyi said, “I received it at my ordination nearly ten years ago.”

Chongxian said, “How many pairs of sandals have you worn out since you set out traveling?”