4. Over a thousand years ago, in the dying years of the T'ang Dynasty, a monk came to Ch'an Master Chao-chou and said, 'I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me'. In response, Chao-chou asked the monk if he had eaten his breakfast. The monk replied that he had. At which point the Master gave his teaching with the words, 'Wash your bowl'. With this, we are told, the monk gained insight.
Less than fifty years ago a young American spent twelve months in a Zen Buddhist monastery. At the end of that time he was asked about what he had learnt. He replied, 'I learnt to open and close doors'.
During this past week someone asked, 'Does a Zen Master give teachings?'
[Bernie Glassman said]: '...although zazen is the core of our practice, we have to manifest what we study. Some students believe that there shouldn't be any study, that we just sit, but in fact there's a tremendous amount to learn. Having a firm foundation in the teachings, we practice without either forgetting or being attached to what we've learned.' Maezumi. The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment. p. 82
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