A Philosopher Asks Buddha

A philosopher asked Buddha: `Without words, without the wordless, will you tell me truth?' The Buddha kept in silence. The philosopher bowed and thanked the Buddha, saying: `With your loving kindness I have cleared away my delusions and entered the true path.'

After the philosopher had gone, Ananda, Buddha's lifelong companion, asked the Buddha what the philosopher had attained. The Buddha replied, `A good horse runs even at the shadow of the whip.'

Mumon's Comment: Ananda was the disciple of the Buddha. Even so, his opinion did not surpass that of outsiders. I want to ask you monks: How much difference is there between disciples and outsiders?

To tread the sharp edge of a sword
To run on smooth-frozen ice,
One needs no footsteps to follow.
Walk over the cliffs with hands free.          

Retrieved: 2/2013

http://www.ibiblio.org/zen/gateless-gate/0.html

Please Remember
It does not matter whether you think you are an insider or an outsider. What matters is whether or not you see the back end of the Ox or at least the traces of the Ox's hoof prints. A shadow or a trace realized is all you need to begin to tread the sharp edge of the truth.

Questions? Comments?