Seok-sang’s “The single phrase outside the doctrinal teachings” (1) – Zen Fools

Master Seok-sang said during a dharma talk, “One must know the single phrase transmitted separately outside the doctrinal teachings.” At that moment a monastic stepped forward and asked, “What is the single phrase?” Seok-sang replied, “It is not a phrase.”

Master Woonmoon said, “Only when it is not a phrase does it become a phrase.”

Student: “What is a phrase that is not a phrase?”

Master: “A beautiful woman.”

Student: “That is a phrase.”

Master: “I said a phrase that is not a phrase, but you heard a phrase.”

Commentary:

When a word is not a word, each word is the function of the true-Self.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway