Xiangyan Zhixian
Xiangyan Zhixian
Unknown – c. 898
Xiangyan Zhixian was a student of Guishan Lingyou who is famous for one of the most celebrated awakening stories in Chan history. Xiangyan had been an extremely learned monk, but Guishan challenged him to express his understanding in a way that went beyond scholarship. Unable to do so, Xiangyan burned all his books and notes, saying, "A painting of a rice cake cannot satisfy hunger." He withdrew to tend the grave of National Teacher Nanyang Huizhong.
One day, while sweeping the path, he flung away a pebble that struck a stalk of bamboo. The sharp sound shattered his residual doubt completely, and he exclaimed: "One strike and I forgot all I knew! This understanding is not gained through training." His verse of realization continues to be quoted as an expression of the moment when accumulated practice suddenly breaks through into direct seeing. The pebble-and-bamboo story demonstrates that awakening comes not from adding more knowledge but from the sudden exhaustion of all that stands between the mind and its own nature.
Names
Teachers
Students
Teachings
- koanKyogen Mounts the Tree
Kyogen said: "Zen is like a man hanging in a tree by his teeth over a precipice. His hands grasp no branch, his feet rest on no limb, and under the tree another person asks him: 'Why did Bodhidharma come to China from India?'" If the man in the tree does not answer, he fails; and if he does answer, he falls and loses his life. Now what shall he do?" Mumon’s comment: In such a predicament the most talented eloquence is of no use. If you have memorized all the sutras, you cannot use them. When you can give the right answer, even though your past road was one of death, you open up a new road of life. But if you cannot answer, you should live ages hence and ask the future Buddha, Maitreya. Kyogen is truly a fool Spreading that ego-killing poison That closes his pupils' mouths And lets their tears stream from their dead eyes.
- koanProceed From The Top Of The Pole
Sekiso asked: "How can you proceed on from the top of a hundred-foot pole?" Another Zen teacher said: "One who sits on the top of a hundred-foot pole has attained a certain height but still is not handling Zen freely. He should proceed on from there and appear with his whole body in the ten parts of the world." Mumon’s comment: One can continue his steps or turn his body freely about on the top of the pole. In either case he should be respected. I want to ask you monks, however: How will you proceed from the top of that pole? Look out! The man who lacks the third eye of insight Will cling to the measure of the hundred feet. Such a man will jump from there and kill himself, Like a blind man misleading other blind men.
- dialogueThe Sound of Bamboo
Xiangyan had been an extremely learned monk, but when Guishan challenged him to express his understanding beyond words and letters, he could not. He burned his books and retreated to tend the grave of National Teacher Nanyang. One day while sweeping the path, he flung away a pebble that struck a stalk of bamboo. At the sound, he was suddenly awakened. He composed a verse: "One strike and I forgot all I knew. No more need for practice or proof. Moving along the ancient path, I am not fallen into passivity. Everywhere I leave no trace. Dignity of manner transcends sound and form. Those who have attained the Way all agree: this is the highest."
- proverbA Painting of a Rice Cake Cannot Satisfy Hunger
A painting of a rice cake cannot satisfy hunger.
Master Record Sources
Xiangyan Zhixian
Guiyang
- koan_refsChart of the Chan Ancestors
5
- nameZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Xiangyan Zhixian
- teachersZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Guishan Lingyou