Mahakashyapa transmitted this Eye, which looks into the deeps of the Dharma, to his successor, Ananda, and this transmission is recorded to have taken place in the following manner:
Ananda asked Kashyapa: "What is it that thou hast received from Buddha besides the robe and the bowl?"
Kashyapa called: "O Ananda."
Ananda replied: "Yes."
Thereupon Kashyapa said, "Wilt though take down the flag-pole at the gate?"
Upon receiving this order, a spiritual illumination came over the mind of Ananda, and the "Seal of Spirit" was handed over by Mahakashyapa to this junior disciple.
Suzuki, Studies in Zen, p.13
Discussion:
Often when people talk about Zen, or ask their Questions, there is a casually dismissive air, as if when Kashyapa asked Ananda to take down the flag pole, he had forgotten the question, or didn't know the answer. These could both be true, but how is it that you, who ask the Question, knows one way or the other?
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