Zen master Bassui Tokushō is well known for his simplicity.
He didn't like to write letters, and yet he wrote several to disciples, when they entreated him to, and these letters remain. .
His last words are very interesting to me, he said,
'Look straight ahead. What's there? If you see it as it is You will never err.'
and then left this world. .
It's interesting because it doesn't involve fantastic visions, or this sort of thing. . . -one Hindu Swami once famous replied to his disciple. . the young monk said to him, 'I have been seeing wonderful visions in my meditation. . .' and his teacher replied, 'Do not worry, keep at it, and they will pass. . .'
There is a term for such visions in Sanskrit, which I do not remember at the moment. . I am sure I will remember at some time.
Anyway - I just wanted to create a thread for it; the seeing clearly aspect. . .
Wikipedia on Bassui
it does seem Bassui expressed it as simply as possible! :-)
'Look straight ahead. What's there? If you see it as it is You will never err.'
Satrakshita.com
Zen Koans at deoxy.org
'The essence of your mind is not born, so it will never die. It is not an existence, which is perishable. It is not an emptiness, which is a mere void. It has neither color nor form. It enjoys no pleasures and suffers no pains.
'I know you are very ill. Like a good Zen student, you are facing that sickness squarely. You may not know exactly who is suffering, but question yourself: What is the essence of this mind? Think only of this. You will need no more. Covet nothing. Your end which is endless is as a snowflake dissolving in the pure air.'
(from the above)
Another good source, with some bold
I've always loved his letters very much, they seem full of compassion and insight and wisdom, if not enlightenment;
Thanks, and peace and health to all.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
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Oh, I should add - the quote about snowflake is from a letter to a disciple who was about to leave this world. .
'You ask me to write you how to practice Zen on your sickbed. Who is he that is sick? Who is he that is practicing Zen? Do you know who you are? One's whole being is Buddha-nature. One's whole being is the Great Way. The substance of this Way is inherently immaculate and transcends all forms. Is there any sickness in it?'
(from the 'another source' link above)
Obviously, no. :-)
One thing about Bassui that is remarkable, to me, is that he taught his students almost the same as Sri Ramana Maharshi
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
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