Sir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen
1/20

🧵

Translation by Richard B. Clarke of the HSIN HSIN MING
attributed to Seng Ts'an, the

The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.

When love and hate are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised.

Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.

Listen to "yaW taerG heTThe Great Way" (vinyl edition) by #ArtFED
https://on.soundcloud.com/nShRs

#Chinese #Zen #Tao #Dao #Buddhist #Philosophy #Books

1/20

06 - yaW taerG heTThe Great Way (vinyl edition)

"The Great Way" from the Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen https://home.csulb.edu/~wweinste /HsinHsinMing.html Music by Elvis Plissken "Delay Mood" by Elvis Plissken https://on.soundcloud.com/NjMYA Fr

SoundCloud
Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
2/20

If you wish to see the truth, then hold no opinions for, or against, anything.

To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind.

When the deep meaning of things is not understood, the mind's essential peace is disturbed to no avail.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
3/20

The Way is perfect, like vast space where nothing is lacking and nothing is in excess.

Indeed, it is due to our choosing to accept or reject that we do not see the true nature of things.

Live neither in the entanglements of outer things, nor in inner feelings of emptiness.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
4/20

Be serene in the oneness of things, and such erroneous views will disappear by themselves.

When you try to stop activity to achieve passivity, your very effort fills you with activity.

As long as you remain in one extreme or the other, you will never know Oneness.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
5/20

Those who do not live in the single Way fail in both activity and passivity, assertion and denial.

To deny the reality of things is to miss their reality; to assert the emptiness of things is to miss their reality.

The more you talk and think about it, the further astray you wander from the truth.

Stop talking and thinking, and there is nothing you will not be able to know.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
6/20

To return to the root is to find the meaning, but to pursue appearances is to miss the source.

At the moment of inner enlightenment, there is going beyond appearance and emptiness.

The changes that appear to occur in the empty world we call real only because of our ignorance.

Do not search for the truth; only cease to cherish opinions.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
7/20

Do not remain in the dualistic state; avoid such pursuits carefully.

If there is even a trace of this and that, of right and wrong, the Mind-essence will be lost in confusion.

Although all dualities come from the One, do not be attached even to this One.

When the mind exists undisturbed in the Way, nothing in the world can offend, and when a thing can no longer offend, it ceases to exist in the old way.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' Bunson

Third Patriarch of Zen
8/20

When no discriminating thoughts arise, the old mind ceases to exist.

When thought-objects vanish, the thinking-subject vanishes, as when the mind vanishes, objects vanish.

Things are objects because of the subject (mind); the mind (subject) is such because of things (objects).

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Dec 22, 2022 at 6:11amWeb
Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
9/20

Understand the relativity of these two and the basic reality: the unity of emptiness.

In this Emptiness the two are indistinguishable and each contains, in itself, the whole world.

If you do not discriminate between coarse and fine, you will not be tempted to prejudice and opinion.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
10/20

To live in the great Way is neither easy nor difficult, but those with limited views are fearful and irresolute; the faster they hurry, the slower they go.

And clinging (attachment) cannot be limited.

Even to be attached to the idea of enlightenment is to go astray.

Just let things be in their own way, and there will be neither coming nor going.

Obey the nature of things your own nature and you will walk freely and undisturbed.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 22, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
11/20

When thought is in bondage, the truth is hidden, for everything is murky and unclear, and the burdensome practice of judging brings annoyance and weariness.

What benefit can be derived from distinctions and separation?

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 23, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
12/20

If you wish to move in the one Way, do not dislike even the world of senses and ideas.

Indeed, to accept them fully is identical with true enlightenment.

The wise man strives to no goals, but the foolish man fetters himself.

There is one Dharma, not many; distinctions arise from the clinging needs of the ignorant.

To seek Mind with the (discriminating) mind is the greatest of all mistakes.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 23, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
13/20

Rest and unrest derive from illusion; with enlightenment there is no liking and disliking.

All dualities come from ignorant inference.

They are like dreams or flowers in air; foolish to try to grasp them.

Gain and loss, right and wrong; such thoughts must finally be abolished at once.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 23, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
14/20

If the eye never sleeps, all dreams will naturally cease.

If the mind makes no discriminations, the ten thousand things are as they are, of single essence.

To understand the mystery of this One-essence is to be released from all entanglements.

When all things are seen equally, the timeless Self-essence is reached.

No comparisons or analogies are possible in this causeless, relationless state.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 23, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
15/20

Consider movement stationary, and the stationary in motion; both movement and rest disappear.

When such dualities cease to exist, Oneness itself cannot exist.

To this ultimate finality no law or description applies.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 23, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
16/20

For the unified mind in accord with the Way, all self-centered striving ceases.

Doubts and irresolutions vanish, and life in true faith is possible.

With a single stroke we are freed from bondage; nothing clings to us and we hold to nothing.

All is empty, clear, self-illuminating, with no exertion of the mind's power.

Here thought, feeling, knowledge and imagination are of no value.

In this world of Suchness, there is neither self nor other-than-self.

Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 23, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
17/20

To come directly into harmony with this reality, just simply say when doubts arise, "Not two".

In this "not two", nothing is separate, nothing is excluded.

No matter when or where, enlightenment means entering this truth.

And this truth is beyond extension or diminution in time or space; in it, a single thought is ten thousand years.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 25, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
18/20

Emptiness here, emptiness there, but the infinite universe stands always before your eyes.

Infinitely large and infinitely small; no difference, for definitions have vanished and no boundaries are seen.

So, too, with being and non-being.

Don't waste time in doubts and arguments that have nothing to do with this.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 25, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
19/20

One thing, all things, move among and intermingle without distinction.

To live in this realization is to be without anxiety about non-perfection.

To live in this faith is the road to non-duality, because the non-dual is one with the trusting mind.

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Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonDec 25, 2022

Third Patriarch of Zen
20/20

Words!

The Way is beyond language, for in it, there is no yesterday, no tomorrow, no today.

* NOTE:

The Chinese character translated as "Great Way" or "Way" is the character for "Tao."

-- Weinstein

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Show threadbazkie bumpercar | unfluencerOct 27, 2023

@SrRochardBunson Thanks for sharing. I'm always quite conflicted about insights like this. Because to me, it's a paradox. To have no opinions, and not distinguish between things, seems to conflict with our human reality; to simply not die in this physical world, we need to do a lot of judging!

Also I'm not sure about the emptiness thing; if you remove all definitions, boundaries, opinions, and everything is one and the same, then does movement still exist? And if not, why exist at all?

Show threadSir Rochard 'Dock' BunsonOct 27, 2023

@bazkie You're most welcome! I don't have the answers, but I sure like thinking about the questions. I have been trying to figure out this exact thing for years.

It IS a paradox, for sure. If you followed it exactly you'd probably either be enlightened or a depressed slob. 😅

The cutesy answer from a teacher might be, "You do nothing and nothing is left undone."

A more satisfying answer might be "you do things, but you're just not attached to the results of the actions."

Movement definitely still exists. Its just movement between the "parts" of the same thing. Take the yin and yang symbol, for instance. ☯️ It really is supposed to be moving and the white changes to the black and back.

Show threadbazkie bumpercar | unfluencerOct 27, 2023

@SrRochardBunson yeah I guess the underlying message of all that is to be more of an observer, than a judge. I completely agree that's solid advice!

And if there's movement between parts of the same thing, then that creates a differentiation between the parts, which makes them separate things. I guess that's where the paradox re-emerges.

I guess I'm just not much of a buddhist 😂 but I'll take the advice about being an observer rather than a judge to heart, so thanks for that!

Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson Ok, I'm off to the Berza world (the world our soul roams during unconsciousness; spelling just a guess). Thank you for inspiring me to write. I hope I didn't fuck anything up here; my perception is far from pure, so mistakes are more than possible, but I hope not very likely. I'll catch up with y'all delightful folks on Friday-ish, Lord Willing :-) Peace be with you, and may God bless us all with a full measure of Act-Right ;-) And I'm ignoring my notifications until Friday :-)
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson It's too late and I'm fixin to be out of town for a few days starting in a handful of hours, but I feel a great truth in these words but can't comment any more. I will say, though, that there is a very interesting Sufi story about the guy who lived an entire life (as a woman) while he picked up two hands of water to wash his face. Remind me later, if you care.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson I imagine complete submission to the Divine Will to result in such a state, but I don't consider myself to be very close to that achievement. The best I seem to be able to muster is to selflessly serve those around me without concern for myself, but this meager level has rewarded me with a measure of success, in that I am content with the little I have, our kids have all they need, and my wife and I care for each other lovingly. It's a nice foundation for mysticism, IMO.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson All aspects of creation are created in pairs. The only true oneness is the Unfathomable Creator of all that will ever exist, but It is outside of creation. This soulds like gibberish to me, but I'm open to a deeper explanation than I can yet fathom.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson This all appears to be in the context of actually reaching of the Godhead, which happens just before the free will (the last of our four parts) is finally submitted to the Divine Will. I can only imagine, but I doubt there are any thoughts happening in that literally awesome encounter.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson Choosing between right and wrong is the entire purpose of our human being with our unique-to-this-physical-plane ability to use our free will to selflessly serve the happiness of others, or to selfishly take what we want from others for our own pleasure. The world cannot escape right and wrong, for we must teach our children and societies how to use our minds to discern one from the other and why to make the best choice for the greater good, which is often not the easiest one.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson The wise man is one with the Tao and is therefore beyond goals, having fully submitted his entire being {Spirit, body, soul, free will} to the Divine Will, which now is fully in control, resulting in the most glorious result possible. Happiness is complete and neverending, fear is utterly absent, and all the doors of the universe can be opened with a question (but each door contains nine more behind it). Pure of heart, they only shine.
Show threadG.G. For NowJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson this one has a great first two lines-
Thanks!
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson To teach why vice is to be avoided, one must first understand vice and why its counterpart virtue creates more happiness not only in oneself but in the world around us. To create happiness, one must first stop creating misery. Learning the clarity of our moral nature is essential to learning "Act-Right". All our actions spread ripples throughout spacetime; "Act-Right" ensures that they are only positive, as we need never create negativity, and can learn how to avoid it.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson To be attached to becoming the best version of yourself you can be is a necessary goal for each human being, for only beginning that journey can we begin to improve the world around us, with less ego and more compassion. In humility and resolve, knowing our own flawed nature, we tend our flaws and serve compassion whereever we go, hoping that will give us the strength to surmount the next obstacle to a pure heart.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson If by emptiness, they mean not having a personal preference as to what another person chooses, then yes, I have experienced that as the novice, whose teacher's counsel contained no prejudice or opinion, only the happiest path. I am, however, not so advanced.
Show threadLove4ALLJul 18, 2023
@SrRochardBunson I have not achieved such a state (yet), but communicating with our fellow human beings requires object references across time, so while I don't doubt this is a state achievable in deep meditation, for normal life we will return to our subject-object references, as it is how physical space is laid out. The negative/selfish part of our mind's input stream does need to be shut out, that's for sure, but that's why the soul needs purification.