One device, one object; one word, one phrase-the intent is that you’ll have a place to enter; still this is gouging a wound in healthy flesh-it can become a nest or a den. The Great Function appears without abiding by fixed principles-the intent is that you’ll realize there is something transcendental; it covers the sky and covers the earth, yet it cannot be grasped. This way will do, not this way will do too-this is too diffuse. This way won’t do, not this way won’t do either-this is too cut off. Without treading these two paths, what would be right? Please test; I cite this for you to see:
As I sat with this Koan last night I gouged my own flesh; I thought I might understand it; even right now I might gouge the flesh of all /r/zen beings! So I say, careful, careful, careful!
This healthy flesh is your own Buddha nature. How do we endeavor to say something without inspiring a Buddha to become enlightened a 2nd time? Hakuin says this is like embroidering fine silk; unnecessary.
So I see two ways- offer a word or phrase or device and actually provide an entry way, or accidentally gouge the flesh, leaving a hole, a den or a nest- some abode to abide in. Without treading these two paths, how shall we patched robed redditors proceed? These seems even more trepidatious, since we use words a lot.
