The Boat Monk's Transmission

Text

Jiashan came to the river crossing and met the Boat Monk. The Boat Monk asked, "In what temple do you stay?" Jiashan said, "I don't stay in a temple. Where I stay is not like anything." The Boat Monk said, "Not like anything—like what?" Jiashan said, "It is not the Dharma before your eyes." The Boat Monk said, "Where did you learn this?" Jiashan said, "Neither ears nor eyes can reach it." The Boat Monk said, "A single phrase and you go on and on. From now on, just shut your mouth. Quick, get out!" And he capsized the boat. Jiashan fell into the water. When he scrambled back aboard, the Boat Monk shouted, "Speak! Speak!" As Jiashan was about to open his mouth, the Boat Monk struck him. At this, Jiashan was greatly awakened.

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Speaker
  Chuanzi Decheng
• Respondent
  Jiashan Shanhui

Lineage: Qingyuan line

From Traditional Zen Encounter Dialogues

• My Mind Is Not at Peace
• Thinking of Not-Thinking
• Not Knowing Is Most Intimate
• The Sound of Bamboo
• Vast Emptiness, Nothing Holy
• Ordinary Mind Is the Way
• Nanquan Kills the Cat
• Wash Your Bowl
• The Oak Tree in the Garden
• This Very Mind Is Buddha

Sources

• contentWikisource — English-language free library

  Jingde Chuandenglu, Chuanzi chapter

  Traditional Zen Encounter Dialogues: The Boat Monk's Transmission