One of the Great Taoist Classics - the Classic of Purity

Origin’s of the Classic of Purity

This short but profound work is, with the exception of the writings of Lao Tsze, the founder of Taoism, and those of Chuang Tsze, his disciple, one of the earliest of the Taoist Classics.

By some authorities it has been attributed to Lao Tsze himself, but it more probable that it is the work of Ko Hsuan, who lived in the Wu Dynasty (A.D. 222-227)

Of Ko Hsuan, many extraordinary occurrences are recorded. He is said to have been able to work miracles, to walk upon water, to have known the secret of the Elixir of Life, to have been translated at last to heaven in the full light of day, and to have attained the rank of an Immortal.

Zen Art as Practice: Painting Spring

From a chapter in The Eight Gates of Zen by John Daido Loori, Roshi

Master Dogen, addressing the assembly, said:

My late master, old Buddha (T’ien-t’ung Ju-ching), said, “The original face has no birth and no death. Spring is in the plum blossoms and enters into a painting.” When you paint Spring, do not paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots, but just paint Spring. To paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots is to paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots–it is not yet painting Spring. It is not that Spring cannot be painted, but aside from my late master, old Buddha, there is no one in India or China who has painted Spring. He alone was the sharp, pointed brush who painted Spring. This Spring is Spring in the painting because it enters into a painting. He does not use any other power, but lets plum blossoms activate Spring. He lets Spring enter into a painting and into a tree– this is his skillful means. Because my late master, old Buddha, clarified the Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, he correctly transmitted it to the Buddhas and ancestors who assembled in the ten directions of past, future, and present. In this way, he thoroughly mastered the eyeball and opened up the plum blossoms.

Quotations of the Great Zen Master Han Shan Te’-Ch’ing

Han Shan Te’-Ch’ing (1546 - 1623)

He was a Buddhist monk, abbot, scholar, teacher, and poet.
He was a Buddhist leader in the Ming Dynasty
He is sometimes referred to as “Silly Mountain.”

Name variants: Han-Shan Te’-Ch’ing, Shrama-na Han-Shan De-Ching,
Sramana Te Ch’ing, Hanshan Deqing, Han shan Te-ching.

Going Beyond Buddha

Hakuin’s Daruma

Augusto Alcalde

Zen master Daowu visited the assembly of master Shitou.
Daowu asked, “What is the fundamental meaning of Buddha-dharma?”
Shitou said, “Not to attain, not to know”.
Daowu said, “Is there some turning point in going beyond, or not?“
Shitou said, “The vast sky does not hinder the white clouds from flying”

Shitou said, “Not to attain, not to know”. Understand that in Buddha-dharma the fundamental meaning is in the first thought, as well as in the ultimate level. This fundamental meaning is not-attaining. It is not that there is no aspiration for enlightenment, no practice, or no enlightenment. But simply, there is not-attaining.

Zen and the Spiritual Power in Carrying Water, Chopping Firewood

Dharma Discourse by John Daido Loori, Roshi
True Dharma Eye, Case 61
Guishan Exploring Spiritual Powers

Featured in Mountain Record 23.1, Fall 2004

The Main Case

One day Guishan was lying down1 when his student Yangshan Huiji came in.2 Guishan turned over and lay facing the wall.3
Yangshan said, “I am your student. You don’t need to be formal.”4
Guishan sat up5 and Yangshan started to leave.6
Guishan called Yangshan, “Huiji.”7
Yangshan turned his head.8
Guishan said, “Listen to this old monastic’s dream.”9
Yangshan lowered his head and was ready to listen.10
Guishan just said, “Interpret my dream for me. Let me see how you do it.”11 Yangshan brought a basin of water and a towel.12 Guishan washed his face and became seated.13
Then Xiangyan came in.14
Guishan said, “I have been having a mystical communication with Huiji. It’s no small thing.”15
Xiangyan said, “I overheard you.”16
Guishan said, “Now you try it and I will see.”17
Xiangyan made a bowl of tea and brought it to him.18
Guishan sighed and praised them saying, “You two students surpass even Shariputra and Maudgalyayana!”19

Qingjing Jing: A Classic of the Taoist Canon - Purity and Tranquillity

A later though short classic of the Taoist Canon, this scripture is often equated to be the Heart Sutra of Taoism.

About the Qingjing Jing:

The qingjing jing is a very short (391 characters) but popular Taoist text of unknown authorship, dating from the fist half of the Tang dynasty (618 - 906 CE). It is included in the Taoist Canon (daozang) under the full title of Tai-shang Lao-chun shou chang ching-ching miao ching, also abbreviated as Ching-ching miao-ching. Several commentaries were written on it, the earliest by Tu Kung-ting; others by Pai Yu-chan of the Sung dynasty (960 - 1279 CE) and Li Tao-tsun of the Yuan period (1271 - 1368 CE).