164. ZEN REMARKS

164. Other versions of Isan's saying:

'With phrases, without phrases, are just like wisteria leaning against a tree.'

'The sentence of being ["u"] and the sentence of nothing ["mu"] are just like a wisteria vine twining around a tree.'

'Expression and no expression are like vines clinging to a tree.'

Are these different versions saying the same thing?

Wansong comments: 'Those who accept words perish, those who linger over phrases are lost.'

163. ZEN REMARKS

163. The 9th century Chinese master Kuei-shan (Isan) had this to say about a certain contemporary debate: 'Saying "yes", saying "no", are like vines wound around a tree'. 

162. ZEN REMARKS

162.           sitting up alone
                  in this tree tossed night of wind -
                  far-away the stars 

161. ZEN REMARKS

161. What are your options when you find yourself hanging by the skin of your teeth high up in Kyogen's tree? 

160. ZEN REMARKS

160. Practising shikantaza, does one sometimes not find oneself in the situation of the man hanging in Kyogen's tree? If so, how does such a one respond to the challenge of the other? What has one to say about why Bodhidharma came from the West?

159. ZEN REMARKS

159. A line from Merton: 'Descartes made a fetish out of the mirror in which the self finds itself. Zen shatters it'. 

158. ZEN REMARKS

158. Does the man hanging by his teeth in Kyogen's tree respond to the call of the other by hanging on or letting go?

157. ZEN REMARKS

157.  There is an old zen story that says 'it' is like a man up in a tree who is hanging from a branch by the skin of his teeth. His hands can't get hold of a bough, his feet can't find a limb to stand on. Then someone standing on the ground below him calls out, 'What is the meaning of Bodhidharma coming from the West?' It is said that if he does not answer he fails to respond to the question whereas if he does answer he will lose his life. It seems that I'm in that situation. What to do?