Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Not Knowing: Shoyoroku Case 20

Attention! Master Jizo asked Hogen, "Where have you come from?"
"I am on pilgrimage, following the wind", replied Hogen.
"What is the matter of your pilgrimage?", asked Jizo.
"I don't know," replied Hogen.
"Not knowing is most intimate," replied Jizo.
At that Hogen experienced a great awakening.

Notes for going deeper:

1. Be warned: in Case 19 of Mumonkon, Nansen says, "The Way is not in knowing or in not knowing. Knowing is delusion, not knowing is stupidity."

2. How is this cultivated? Master Jizo said, "In walking and sitting, just hold to the moment before thoughts arise. Look into it, and you'll see not seeing. Then, put it to one side." (quoted in the Book of Equanimity, Gerry Shishin Wick, p. 65)

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