history principles practice stories, books, media discussion forum organizations resources
zenguide.com logo
 
Wednesday Apr 24 2024 10:05PM ET
º login º register º email º guestbook º printer friendly
grey dot
  On one occasion, the Buddha said to the monks this:
"No other form do I know, O monks, that so persists in obsessing the mind of a man as the form of a woman.
The form of a woman persists in obsessing the mind of a man.

"No... continue...

z
.
e
.
n
menu left history menu spacer principles menu spacer practice menu spacer zen media menu spacer discussion forum menu spacer organization directory menu spacer resources  
login
  STORIES, BOOKS & MEDIA
» koans, stories & words   » zen readings   » recommended books   » book reviews   » art & prints   » audio, videos, DVD's
grey dot

WHAT IS YOUR ORIGINAL FACE?
The monk Hui-ming was one of those who were running after Hui-neng - the Sixth Patriarch of Zen in China - for the robe and bowl that had come down from the Buddha Himself, they were the symbols of Buddha Dharma transmission in Zen tradition. When he caught up Hui-neng, he said:
-Practitioner Sir, I came for the Dharma (teaching), not for the robe and bowl.
Hui-neng then said:
-Since you have come here for the Dharma, you should shut out all objects and not conceive a single thought, then I will expound the Dharma for you.
Hui-ming was silent for a long while. Hui-neng said:
-When you do not think of good and do not think of bad, what is your original face?
At these words, Hui-ming was greatly enlightened. Then he asked:
-Is there any further secret teaching besides the one just now secretly spoken?
Hui-neng said:
-What I have told you is no secret. If you reflect inwardly, the secret is in you.

Adapted from "Phap Bao Dan Kinh" of Hui-neng"
translated from Vietnamese

Note: What was called the "Original face" or the "Face before your parents were born or before grandmother was born" or the "True self" or the "True nature" or the "Self nature" or the "Buddha nature",... all indicate the same thing in Zen.

ChonTri 11/12/2011


 



SUPPORT ZENGUIDE.COM
If you are planning on purchasing any product from amazon.com, you can help us out by using the search box to the right or by clicking on this link to begin shopping.


Purchase posters, art prints, media (music CD & DVD)

buy this ZEN
by Peggy Moquay
Puchase this Item
More Art Prints & Media
Zen & Buddhism books
 
 
s
.
t
.
o
.
r
.
i
.
e
.
s
.
,
.

.
b
.
o
.
o
.
k
.
s
.

.
&
.

.
m
.
e
.
d
.
i
.
a
.
Copyright © 1999 - 2024 zenguide.com - All rights reserved. °