Meeting Zhikong in Yuan China

Text

When Naong Hyegeun went to study in Yuan dynasty China, he sought out the Indian master Zhikong (Indicaprabha) at the capital. At their first meeting, Zhikong said: 'Where do you come from?' Naong said: 'From Goryeo, in the east.' Zhikong said: 'How far is that?' Naong said: 'Not a single step away.' Zhikong said: 'And what teaching did you bring?' Naong held out his empty hands. Zhikong smiled and said: 'Goryeo is indeed not far. Sit down.' After many months of study, Zhikong gave Naong a formal gāthā of transmission, pronouncing him fit to carry the Linji school back to his homeland. Naong later said of this: 'Zhikong certified what was already there. He did not add anything.'

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Speaker
  Naong Hyegeun

Lineage: Seon

By Naong Hyegeun

• Verse on the Dharma Bodyverse

From Naong Hwasang Eorok (Recorded Sayings of Master Naong)

• Verse on the Dharma Body

Sources

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

  Robert E. Buswell Jr.

  Naong Hwasang Eorok; after Buswell, 'The Formation of Ch'an Ideology in China and Korea' (1989), pp. 180–195, on Naong's study in Yuan China and meeting with Zhikong

  Naong Hwasang Eorok (Recorded Sayings of Master Naong): Meeting Zhikong in Yuan China