Seok-sang’s “The single phrase outside the doctrinal teachings” (2) – 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: “Who can recognise a phrase that is not a phrase?”
Master: “A man without eyes and ears.”

Commentary:
A phrase is not a phrase but a gate. Don’t read it but enter it.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway