61. Throwing Away Words and Speech

This writing represents the 58th blog in a weekly series that has been posted each Monday on
the Zen Center of Las Vegas’ webpage. My original intent was to share the more than three
decades of formal practice experience hoping that someone somewhere could benefit.
So far so good. Diligence lies in it not being the product of ego but is a sincere effort to share.
Similar to the proverbial “finger pointing at the moon,” these writings were a personal nip and
tuck version of highlighting time honored techniques; ones that could hopefully be instrumental
in quieting our ever indulgent mind meanderings.

This week however, let’s throw everything away, all concepts and constructs. The teachings are
quite simple and referenced time and again in the Buddhist pantheon.

1.)The Buddha gave transmission to Mahakasyapa by holding up a single flower. What does
this mean?
2.) Zen Master Guji whenever questioned by his monk students simply held up one finger. What
does this mean?
3.) Zen Master Lin Chi would only emit a great belly shout – KATZ! whenever a student came
forth with a question. What does this mean?
4.) Zen Master Dok Sahn took this a step further and would hit the monk with his zen stick
before the question was even finished. What does this mean?
5.) Zen Master Joju and a few centuries later Dogen Zenji were a bit more refined. They would
encourage the student to “Go drink tea.” What does this mean?
6.) Vimalikirti on the other hand would simply remain silent. It is said that his silence was the
equivalent of 500 clasps of thunder. What does this mean?
7.) There was also a Chan Master who we don’t hear about often and who historians often
overlook. Yongming Yanshou was a Pure Land /Chan Master credited for having founded the
extremely simple practice of reciting or chanting Namo Amitofo.

Intellectuals often disregard his practice as lacking substance. Why that is so is a mystery.
Similar to all the legendary teachers referenced above, the profundity of his teaching lies in it’s
simplicity.

It is said that Yanshou kept this practice while working, sitting, eating, and even sleeping.
The purity and tranquility we seek are found when as modern day Master Shodo Harada
Roshi states, we “cut and let go” of all our extraneous thought processes.

When our hearts and minds become gentle and serene, wisdom appears. Only then will it
be possible to bring true peace to this world, a world the Buddha aptly titled “an ocean of
suffering.”