THE CASE
Goso said, "When you meet a man of the Way on the way, do not greet him with words; do not greet him with silence; tell me, how will you greet him?"
Case XXXVI, Goso's No Words Or Silence, Mumonkon, R.H. Blyth
Discussion:
What wonderful simplicity.
In Blyth's time Zen was fading, it seems to be well on it's way to extinction. Blyth attributed this to, among other things, the over emphasis on lineage. It seems to me though that there is an under emphasis on Zen. Many people invoke Zen as a part of a message of love, or hope, or charity. Where are the Zen Masters who "do not know"? They are difficult to find. Where are the Zen Masters who do not accept money? Who do not lead retreats? Who wander? There must be very few.
If you meet one, one time in your life, what will you say?
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