Soshi Seirai I

Master Xiangyan Zhixian, the Inheritor of the Lamp at Xiangyan Temple [who succeeded Dayu, his posthumous name being Zhixian], addressed the assembly saying, "It is like a person climbing a tree on a thousand-foot cliff, with the mouth holding a branch, the feet not treading on the tree, the hands not grasping a branch. Suddenly, someone beneath the tree asks, 'What is the meaning of the First Ancestor's coming from the West?' At such a time, if you open your mouth to answer him, you will immediately lose your body and forfeit your life; if you do not answer him, you fail to meet his inquiry.

At such a time, tell me, what should you do?" At that time, there was the head monk Zhao of Hutou, who came forward from the assembly and said, "I do not ask about the time of being up the tree; before climbing the tree, I ask the venerable master to speak—what then?" The master then laughed heartily. Nowadays, there are many who deliberate and cite this old case, but those who can speak to it are rare. They are likely all utterly bewildered.

Nevertheless, if you take up not-thinking, take up beyond-thinking, and consider it, you will naturally share a single meditation mat's effort with old Xiangyan. Once you sit upright on the same meditation mat as old Xiangyan, you should further investigate this case before old Xiangyan even opens his mouth. It is not merely stealing a glance at old Xiangyan's eye; you should take out Shakyamuni Buddha's treasury of the true dharma eye and see through it. "Like a person climbing a tree on a thousand-foot cliff." This saying should be quietly investigated. What is called a 'person'? If it is not a pillar, it cannot be called a wooden stake.

Even if it is the smiling face of a buddha or ancestor, you must not mistake the mutual seeing of self and other. The place where the person now climbs the tree is not the entire great earth, nor the top of a hundred-foot pole; it is a thousand-foot cliff. Even if you drop away, it is within the thousand-foot cliff. There is a time of falling, there is a time of climbing. To say "like a person climbing a tree within a thousand-foot cliff" is to know there is a time of climbing.

Therefore, upward is also a thousand feet, downward is also a thousand feet. The left side is also a thousand feet, the right side is also a thousand feet. Here is also a thousand feet, there is also a thousand feet. The person is also a thousand feet, climbing the tree is also a thousand feet. The thousand feet of the past should be like this. And I ask you, how much is the measure of a thousand feet? I say, it is like the measure of an ancient mirror, like the measure of a fire pit, like the measure of a seamless pagoda. "The mouth holding a branch." What is this mouth? Even if you do not know the mouth's full breadth or the full mouth, for a while, follow the branch, seeking the branch and picking the leaves, and you will know the mouth's whereabouts. For a while, there is grasping the branch and forming the mouth. Therefore, the entire mouth is the branch, the entire branch is the mouth. The whole body is the mouth, the whole mouth is the body.

"The tree itself treads on the tree," therefore it is said "the feet do not tread on the tree." It is like "the feet themselves tread on the feet." "The branch itself grasps the branch," therefore it is said "the hands do not grasp a branch"; it is like "the hands themselves grasp the hands." Nevertheless, the heel still has advancing and retreating steps, the hand still has making a fist and opening a fist. For a while, consider the dwellings of self and other; they are hanging in empty space. Nevertheless, is hanging in empty space the same as holding a branch?

"Suddenly, someone beneath the tree asks, 'What is the meaning of the First Ancestor's coming from the West?'" This "suddenly, someone beneath the tree" is like saying "someone within the tree," as if the person were the tree. "Suddenly, someone asks the person" is precisely this. Therefore, the tree asks the tree, the person asks the person; raising the tree is raising the question, raising the meaning of coming from the West is asking about the meaning of coming from the West. The one who poses the question also comes asking with the mouth holding a branch.

If it were not with the mouth holding a branch, one could not pose the question. There is no sound filling the mouth, there is no mouth filling the words. When posing the question about the meaning of coming from the West, it is posing the question by holding the meaning of coming from the West. "If you open your mouth to answer him, you will immediately lose your body and forfeit your life." Now, the saying "if you open your mouth to answer him" should be intimately known.

It is heard that there can also be "not opening the mouth to answer him." If it is so, then it should be "not losing body and forfeiting life." Even if there is opening or not opening the mouth, it must not obstruct the mouth holding the branch. Opening and closing are not necessarily the whole mouth; there is also opening and closing within the mouth. Therefore, holding the branch is the everyday activity of the whole mouth. Opening and closing must not obstruct the mouth. "Opening the mouth to answer him"—does it mean opening the tree branch to answer him, or opening the meaning of coming from the West to answer him?

If it is not opening the meaning of coming from the West to answer him, then it is not answering the meaning of coming from the West. Since it is not answering him, this is preserving the whole body and protecting life. It cannot be called losing body and forfeiting life. If one had lost body and forfeited life from the start, there could be no answering him. Nevertheless, Xiangyan's mind does not refuse answering him; it is only, perhaps, losing body and forfeiting life. Know that before answering him, it is protecting the body and preserving life. Suddenly, when answering him, it is turning the body to live life. I have realized that everyone's full mouth is the Way.

The mouth holds the Way. To say "the mouth holds a branch" is to say "the mouth holds the Way." When answering him, on the mouth, another mouth opens. "If you do not answer him, you fail to meet his inquiry," yet you do not fail to meet your own inquiry. Therefore, know that all buddhas and ancestors who answer the meaning of coming from the West all meet the occasion of climbing the tree, mouth holding a branch, and come answering.

All buddhas and ancestors who ask the meaning of coming from the West all meet the occasion of climbing the tree, mouth holding a branch, and come answering.

The venerable Mingjue Chanshi Chongxian of Xuedou said, "Speaking the Way from the treetop is easy; speaking the Way from beneath the tree is difficult. Now that this old monk has climbed the tree, bring forth a question." Now, to bring forth a question—even if one comes with all one's strength—this question comes too late, and one regrets that the question comes after the answer. I ask all the old awls of past and present: when Xiangyan let out a hearty laugh, was that the Way from the treetop, or the Way from beneath the tree? Was it answering the meaning of the West, or not answering the meaning of the West? Try to see and say.

The True Dharma-Eye Treasury, "The Intention of the Westward Coming" Sixty-Two The great master Baizhang Huaihai once addressed the assembly saying, "You lot, what is the matter? Why do you not each understand the Intention of the Westward Coming? I will explain it for you today. Gather your minds and listen well. In the past, when Mahākāśyapa was about to transmit the Dharma, he summoned Ānanda. Ānanda responded. Mahākāśyapa said, 'I wish to take down the banner-pole in front of the monastery gate.

You should go and do it.' Ānanda responded, 'The people of the world do not know that in the kalpa of emptiness, there is a banner-pole.' Mahākāśyapa said, 'What principle is there to discuss? Go quickly and take it down.' Ānanda then went and took it down." The great master Baizhang then said, "Tell me, did Ānanda take down the banner-pole, or did he not take down the banner-pole? If you say he took it down, then in the kalpa of emptiness, there is no banner-pole. If you say he did not take it down, then he was ordered by Mahākāśyapa.

How will you understand this?" Later, a monk asked Zhaoqing, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Zhaoqing said, "When the thief flees, then one shoots the bow." The monk also asked Yunmen, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunmen said, "The auspicious breeze of the kalpa of emptiness." The monk also asked Fenyang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fenyang said, "Ānanda, the venerable one, has been recognized for a long time." The monk also asked Xuedou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuedou said, "A good brother cannot be obtained." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "Ānanda is the younger brother of Mahākāśyapa." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Shu, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "The venerable one has left home." The monk also asked Touzi, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Touzi said, "The younger brother is good at ascending the tree." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Xiangzhou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "One foot, two feet." The monk also asked Baizhang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Baizhang said, "Above the banner-pole, a hundred-foot pole-head." The monk also asked Huanglong, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Huanglong said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Damei, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Damei said, "I am not as good as you." The monk also asked Guishan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Guishan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yangshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yangshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Shishuang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Shishuang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Dongshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Dongshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Caoshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Caoshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yunju, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunju said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Fayan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fayan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Zhaoqing, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Zhaoqing said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yunmen, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunmen said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Fenyang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fenyang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuedou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuedou said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Shu, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Touzi, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Touzi said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Xiangzhou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Baizhang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Baizhang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Huanglong, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Huanglong said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Damei, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Damei said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Guishan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Guishan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yangshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yangshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Shishuang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Shishuang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Dongshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Dongshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Caoshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Caoshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yunju, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunju said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Fayan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fayan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Zhaoqing, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Zhaoqing said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yunmen, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunmen said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Fenyang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fenyang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuedou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuedou said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Shu, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Touzi, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Touzi said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Xiangzhou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Baizhang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Baizhang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Huanglong, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Huanglong said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Damei, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Damei said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Guishan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Guishan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yangshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yangshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Shishuang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Shishuang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Dongshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Dongshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Caoshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Caoshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yunju, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunju said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Fayan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fayan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Zhaoqing, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Zhaoqing said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yunmen, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunmen said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Fenyang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fenyang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuedou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuedou said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Shu, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Touzi, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Touzi said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked the National Teacher of Xiangzhou, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" The National Teacher said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Baizhang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Baizhang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Huanglong, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Huanglong said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Damei, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Damei said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Guishan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Guishan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yangshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yangshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Shishuang, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Shishuang said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Dongshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Dongshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Caoshan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Caoshan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Yunju, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Yunju said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Fayan, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Fayan said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Xuansha, "When Mahākāśyapa ordered Ānanda to take down the banner-pole, what was his meaning?" Xuansha said, "The banner-pole is still standing." The monk also asked Zhaoqing