Joshu’s ‘Where the Buddha is’ (3) – Zen Fools

One day one of Joshu’s students bade farewell to Joshu. Joshu said to him, “Where are you going?” The student answered, “I am going to search for the Buddha.” Joshu said, “Don’t stay where the Buddha is, and go quickly through the place where the Buddha is not. If you happen to meet a person one thousand miles away, don’t respond to him wrongly.”

Hearing this, the student said, “I will not leave then.” Joshu said, “Pick willow flowers. Pick willow flowers.”

Student: “What did Joshu mean by ‘If you happen to meet a person one thousand miles away, don’t respond to him wrongly’?”

Master: “There is no person in the Buddha land.”

Commentary:

There is even no person in the Buddha land. Who would recognise him even if there were a person?

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway