layman pang and bodhidaharma

In 6th century China there was a layman of incredible insight and understanding. He chose to live the life of a common householder, yet he challenged and was respected by all the great Zen Masters of Golden Age of Zen. Layman P’ang was asked about this mind or enlightenment to which he replied;

the past is already past—
don’t try to regain it.
the present does not remain—
don’t try to hold on from moment to moment.
the future has not arrived—
don’t think about it beforehand.
with these three realms non-existent,
your mind is the same as Buddha-mind.
to silently function relying on emptiness—
this is profound action.
not the least truth exists—
whatever appears, don’t touch it.
there are no commandments to be kept,
there is no delusion to eradicated.
with an empty mind
truth’s have no separate life.
when you attain this state
you have finally arrived.

This poem actually mirrors the teaching in the Diamond Sutra about how to keep your mind moment to moment to moment. So this poem is pointing to something, which is quite uncommon for us in the west. Something that maybe cannot be defined. But still, what is this something? And should I really be talking about this based upon Hakuin’s original assertion? Bodhidharma who is known as the founder of Zen or Ch’an Buddhism said of this practice;

if you pass through this gate
do not give rise to thinking.
not dependant on words and speech.
a special transmission outside the sacred teaching.
find your own heart
and become Buddha.

So, how do we find our own heart without picking up the colorings or accents of others in our lives? This is what the aspiration of Zen leads us to.


道清, 禅师
Dochong, JDPSN