Dongshan Shouchu
Dongshan Shouchu
910 – 990
Dongshan Shouchu (洞山守初, 910–990) — distinct from the ninth-century Dongshan Liangjie of the Caodong school — was a Dharma heir of Yunmen Wenyan who taught on Mount Dong in modern Hubei[1]. The lamp records preserve a relatively small number of his sayings, but two of them, both of his exchanges with Yunmen, became canonical koans: Case 12 of the *Mumonkan* / *Wúménguān* and the closely related "three pounds of flax" exchange that the koan collections sometimes attribute to him alongside the better-known Dongshan Liangjie[2].
In the *Mumonkan* exchange, Yunmen asked Shouchu where he had come from; Shouchu named the place; Yunmen pressed further about his summer's training, then declared that Shouchu deserved sixty blows of the staff — only to revoke them when Shouchu, the next day, asked what fault his teacher had found. The *Mumonkan* commentary by Wumen Huikai turns this exchange into one of the most-meditated investigations in the collection on the relationship between expression, response, and a teacher's seeming arbitrariness[3].
Names
Disciples of Dongshan Shouchu
Teachers and lineage of Dongshan Shouchu
Teacher / root master:
Teachings
Tozan went to Ummon. Ummon asked him where he had come from. Tozan said: "From Sato village." Ummon asked: "In what temple did you remain for the summer?" Tozan replied: "The temple of Hoji, south of the lake." "When did you leave there?" asked Ummon, wondering how long Tozan would continue with such factual answers. "The twenty-fifth of August," answered Tozan. Ummon said: "I should give you three blows with a stick, but today I forgive you." The next day Tozan bowed to Ummon and asked: "Yesterday you forgave me three blows. I do not know why you thought me wrong." Ummon, rebuking Tozan's spiritless responses, said: "You are good for nothing. You simply wander from one monastery to another." Before Ummon's words were ended Tozan was enlightened. Mumon’s comment: Ummon fed Tozan good Zen food. If Tozan can digest it, Ummon may add another member to his family. In the evening Tozan swam around in a sea of good and bad, but at dawn Ummon crushed his nut shell. After all, he wasn't so smart. Now, I want to ask: Did Tozan deserve the three blows? If you say yes, not only Tozan but every one of you deserves them. If you say no, Ummon is speaking a lie. If you answer this question clearly, you can eat the same food as Tozan. The lioness teaches her cubs roughly; The cubs jump and she knocks them down. When Ummon saw Tozan his first arrow was light; His second arrow shot deep.
A monk asked Tozan when he was weighing some flax: "What is Buddha?" Tozan said: "This flax weighs three pounds." Mumon’s comment: Old Tozan's Zen is like a clam. The minute the shell opens you see the whole inside. However, I want to ask you: Do you see the real Tozan? Three pounds of flax in front of your nose, Close enough, and mind is still closer. Whoever talks about affirmation and negation Lives in the right and wrong region.
- koanWho Is He?
Hoen said: "The past and future Buddhas, both are his servants. Who is he?" Mumon’s comment: If you realize clearly who he is, it is as if you met your own father on a busy street. There is no need to ask anyone whether or not your recognition is true. Do not fight with another's bow and arrow. Do not ride another's horse. Do not discuss another's faults. Do not interfere with another's work.
- dialogueThree Pounds of Flax
A monk asked Dongshan, "What is Buddha?" Dongshan said, "Three pounds of flax."
Other masters in Nanyue line
Master Record Sources
910-90
Dongshan Shouchu
Nanyue line
- koan_refsChart of the Chan Ancestors
12 15,18 88
- nameZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Dongshan Shouchu
- teachersZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Yunmen Wenyan