The Transmission from Magu Baoche

Text

When Muyeom studied under Magu Baoche in Tang China, he came one day and bowed three times before the master. Magu said: 'Why do you bow?' Muyeom said: 'Out of respect for the Dharma.' Magu said: 'Where is the Dharma?' Muyeom was silent for a long time, then said: 'I cannot find it anywhere.' Magu said: 'Precisely. Now go wash your bowl.' At that moment Muyeom understood and composed himself. Later, when he returned to Silla and was asked about the transmission, he said: 'Magu gave me bowl-washing. I gave him my three bows. Both sides are empty-handed. That is the transmission.'

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Speaker
  Muyŏm

Lineage: Seon

By Muyŏm

• The Teaching of No-Mindsaying

Sources

• contentThe Formation of Ch'an Ideology in China and Korea — Robert E. Buswell

  Robert E. Buswell Jr.

  After Buswell, 'The Formation of Ch'an Ideology in China and Korea' (1989), pp. 137–142, on Muyeom's study under Magu Baoche and return to Korea

  Jodang Daesa Eorok / Seongju-san Transmission Record: The Transmission from Magu Baoche