No More Learning

His conduct on the Path was pure as ice. He did not act for the sake of luxury and finery. In the first year of the Chu'o'ng Thánh Gia Khánh era (1059), he left the conventional world and went to study with Thien* Lão on Mount Tiên Du. Under the impact of his teachings, Quang Trí reached accord with the essential message of Zen. From then on he spent his time refining and cultivating himself, his will strongly set on Zen. Before long his reputation had spread far and wide.
Later Quang Trí made his abode on Mount Tù' So'n. [18b] He always wore a patched robe, and he fed himself on pine nuts. He became a
spiritual companion 176 of the hermit­monk Minh Hue*. 177 People said that they were the reincarnations of Hanshan and Shide. 178 The Minister of Public Works Ðoàn Van* Khâm179 admired Quang* Trí greatly. Once he offered him a poem:
Hanging his staff180 on a perilous peak, he has left behind the dusts of the senses. 181
As I dwell silently amidst dreamlike illusion, I ask the floating clouds:
I am earnest, but there is no way for me to study with Fo Tu Teng and Kumarajiiva*,182
Entangled as I am with high society, that flock of [ostentatious] storks. 183
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
When Quang Trí passed away sometime during the Quang Huu* era (1085–1091), Ðoàn Van Khâm cried grievously and composed a poem of mourning:
He escaped from the capital and dwelt in the forest184 till his hair turned white,
He shook out his sleeves [rejecting conventional society] for the high mountains,
The more remote, the higher his reputation.
How often I wished to don simple garb and go to his side! Now suddenly comes the news that he has departed185
and his Zen retreat is closed,
Now in the courtyard of his temple the birds cry in vain
to the moon.
Who can compose the inscription for his tomb? Companions in the Path should not be sad
as he departs forever,
The mountains and rivers in front of his retreat
are his true portrait. 186 Thong* Bien*
(? –1134)
Eight Generation: Six Persons
[19a8] National Preceptor (Quoc* Su')187 Thông Biên of Pho* Ninh Temple in Tù' Liêm188 hailed from Ðan Phuong*. 189 His family name was Ngô, and he was the son of Buddhists. By nature he was intelligent and sagacious
Page 127
Page 128
and clearly understood the three studies [of Buddhism, namely, Discipline, Meditation, and Wisdom]. 190 First, he studied with Mai Viên Chieu* of Cát Tu'ò'ng and received the gist of his teaching. Then he moved his abode to the National Temple in the capital Thang* Long191 and gave himself the sobriquet Trí Không [which
means "Empty Wisdom"].
In the spring of the fifth year of the Hoi* Phong era (1096), on the fifteenth day of the second month, Empress Dowager Phù Thánh Cam* Linh Nhân192 gave a [19b] vegetarian feast for the monks at the National Temple. She enquired of the elders present: "What is the meaning of 'the Buddha' and 'the patriarchs'? Which is superior? Where does the Buddha dwell? Where do the patriarchs live? When did they come to this country to pass on this Path? Who came first, the Buddha or the patriarchs? What is the meaning of reciting the Buddha's name and reaching the mind of the patriarchs? "
No one in the assembly spoke. Thông Bien* then replied to the empress dowager: "The Buddha is the one who abides eternally in the world without birth or demise.
The patriarchs are those who illuminate the source of the Buddha­mind and whose understanding and conduct are in accord. 193 The Buddha and the patriarchs are one. Only undisciplined scholars would falsely assert that either is superior or inferior.
"'Buddha' means 'enlightened. 194 Fundamentally, enlightenment is profoundly clear and eternally present. All beings share this inner truth. Because they are covered over by sentiments and sensory experience, they drift according to their karma and revolve through the various planes of existence.
"Out of compassion, Buddha appeared to be born in India. This is because India is the center of the world. 195 At nineteen he left home. At thirty he achieved enlightenment. 196 He stayed in the world preaching the Dharma for forty­nine years, setting forth all sorts of provisional teachings to enable sentient beings to awaken
to the Path. This is what is called [20a] creating teachings for a certain period. When he was about to enter final nirvana, he was afraid that people attached to delusion would get stuck on his words, so he told Manjusri*, 'In forty­nine years I have not spoken a single word. Will they think something was said? ' So he held up a flower [in front of the assembly on Vulture Peak]. No one in the assembly knew what to say, except the Venerable Mahakasyapa*, who cracked a slight smile. Buddha
knew he had meshed [with truth], so he entrusted the treasury of the eye of the true Dharma to him, and he became the first patriarch [of Zen]. 197 This is what is called the separate transmission of the mind­source outside the scriptural teachings.
Page 129
"Later Moteng (Kasyapa * Matanga*)198 brought this teaching to Han China [c. first century C. E. ]199 and Bodhidharma traveled to [the Chinese kingdoms] of Liang and Wei [c. sixth century C. E. ]200 with this message. The transmission of the teaching flourished with Tiantai:201 it is called the school of the scriptural teachings. 202 The gist of the teaching became clear with [the Sixth Patriarch of Zen] Caoxi:203 this is called the Zen school. Both these schools reached our country [Vietnam] many years ago. The scriptural teachings began with Mou Bo204 and Kang Senghui. 205 The first stream of the Zen school began with Vinitaruci* (Ty* Ni Ða Lu'u Chi); the second with Vô Ngôn Thông. Vinitaruci and Vô Ngôn Thông are the ancestral teachers of these two streams [of Zen]. "
The empress dowager asked: "Leaving aside for now the school of the scriptural teachings, what has been accomplished by the two streams of Zen? "
Thông Bien* said: "According to the biography of Dharma Master Tanqian (542–607),206 the Chinese Emperor Sui [20b] Gaozu [r. 580–611] said,207 'I am ever
mindful of the compassionate teaching of the Buddha,208 whose benevolence I cannot repay. As monarch, I have supported the Three Jewels on a wide scale all over the country. I have had all the relics in the country collected, and I have built 49 precious stupas for them. To show the world the way across [to enlightenment] I have built more than 150 temples and stupa. I have built them all across Jiaozhou (Giao Châu), so that their sustaining power and fructifying merit could extend everywhere. Although Jiaozhou belongs to China, we still need to bind it to us, so we ought to send monks renowned for their virtue to go there to convert everyone and let them all attain enlightenment. '
"Dharma Master Tanqian said, 'The area of Jiaozhou has long been in communication with India. Early on, when the Buddha­Dharma came to China209 and still had not been established, yet in Luy Lâu210 more than twenty precious temples were built, more than five hundred monks were ordained, and fifteen volumes of scriptures were translated. Because of this prior connection, there were already monks and nuns211 like Mo Luo Qi Yu,212 Kang Senghui, Zhi Jiang Liang,213 and Mou Bo there. In our time, there is the Venerable Pháp Hien*,214 who received the transmission from Vinitaruci, [21a] and who is now spreading the school of the Third Patriarch (Sengcan). Pháp Hiên is a Bodhisattva living among humans: he receives disciples and preaches the Dharma at Chúng Thien* Temple, and the congregation
there numbers over three hundred. Thus, Jiaozhou is no different than China. Your Majesty, you are the compassionate father of all the world. Wishing to bestow your grace everywhere equally,
you would send an emissary [to spread Buddhism to Jiaozhou]. But there are already Buddhist teachers there; we do not have to go to convert them. ' 215
[Thông Bien* continued:] "Moreover, the Tang Minister Quan Deyu composed a preface to transmit the Dharma216 which says, 'After Caoxi passed away, the teaching of Zen flourished and spread. There were Zen schools everywhere. Zen Master Zhangjing Yun217 carried Mazu's essential teachings on mind to spread the
teaching in Wu­Yue. 218 The Mahasattva* (Great Hero) Vô Ngôn Thông transmitted the essential message of Baizhang's teaching to spread enlightenment in Jiaozhou. [So Your Highness,] this is what has been accomplished by the Zen schools. "
The empress dowager also asked: "What is the order of succession in the two Zen schools? "
Thông Biên said: "The present representatives of the Vinitaruci* stream are Lâm Hue* Sinh219 and Vu'o'ng Chân Không. 220 For the Vô Ngôn Thông stream, they are
Mai Viên Chieu*221 and Nhan Quang* Trí. 222 [The successor of Kang Senghui] is Lôi Hà Trach*. 223 The other side branches [of these two streams] are too numerous to mention them all. "
The empress dowager was very happy [with Thông Bien's* reply], so she honored him with the title "Monk Scribe" (Tang* Luc*)224 and gave him a purple robe. 225 She gave him the sobriquet Thông [21b] Biên Quoc* Su' [which means "National Preceptor with Consummate Eloquence"] and rewarded him munificently.
Subsequently, she revered him so much that she summoned him into the palace and paid homage to him as National Preceptor. 226 She enquired into the essential teachings of Zen and had a deep appreciation of its message. The empress dowager once composed a verse on enlightenment:
Form is emptiness, so emptiness equals form, Emptiness is form, so form equals emptiness. 227
Only when you are not attached to either, Do you mesh with the true source.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
In his later years, Thông Biên moved to Pho* Minh Temple, where he opened a great teaching center and showered down the rain of Dharma228 on all. He often
taught people to practice by using the Lotus Sutra*, so his contemporaries spoke of him as Ngo* Pháp Hoa ("Awakened to the Lotus"). In the second year, giáp dan*, of the Thiên Chu'o'ng Bao* Tu'*229 era (1134) on the twelfth day of the second month, Thông Biên announced that he was ill [and passed away].
Page 130
Mãn Giác (1052–1096)
[21b6] The Great Master Mãn Giác of Giáo Nguyên Temple in Cú'u Liên 230 was a native of An Cách Village, Lung* Mac*. His family name was Nguyen* and his
personal name was Tru'ò'ng. His father was Nguyên Hoài To*,231 who held the office of Gentleman of the Chancellory. When Lý Nhân Tông was still living in the heir apparent's palace, before he came to power, the emperor [Lý Thánh Tông, his father] issued a royal decree summoning the children of notable families to come to court to attend upon him. Since Mãn Giác was very learned and erudite and had studied and mastered Confucianism and Buddhism, he was among those invited to participate. After the sessions at court, Mãn Giác was always mindful of dhyana*. When Lý Nhân Tông came to the throne, because he had respected Mãn Giác back in those days, he bestowed on him the sobriquet Hoài Tín [which means "Filled with Faith"].
During the Anh Vu* Chiêu Thang* era (1076–1084), Mãn Giác asked permission to become a monk. He received the mind­seal from Zen Master Quang* Trí of Quán Dinh* Temple [22a] and then went wandering with his begging bowl and staff, free as a cloud, in search of Dharma companions. Everywhere he went, students flocked to him. He read the great Buddhist Canon and attained teacherless wisdom. 232 He became one of the Buddhist leaders of his time.
The Emperor Lý Nhân Tông and the Empress Dowager Phù Thánh Linh Nhân were turning toward the study of Zen in those days, so they built the Giác Nguyên
Temple next to Canh* Hu'ng Palace233 and invited Mãn Giác to live there, so that it would be easier for them to see him and ask him questions. They did not call him by name, but always "Elder. "
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
One day Mãn Giác told the emperor: "When the perfected people234 show themselves, it is always to work for the salvation of beings. There is no practice for which they are not fully equipped, nothing they do not cultivate. Not only do they have the power of concentration and wisdom, they have the merit of praising [Buddha] and renouncing [worldly life]. This is the work we should respectfully take up. " Then he imparted [to the emperor] the teachings of his school and the mind­seal of the patriarchs beyond cultivation and realization.
The emperor summoned Mãn Giác into the palace sanctum within the palace and conferred on him the rank of "Inner Palace Teacher of Enlightenment" and the sobriquet "Purple Robed Great Monk. " Mãn
Page 131
Giác was given the rank of "Adviser of the Three Bureaus" with tax exemptions for fifty family members. <><><><><><><><><><><><>
At the end of the eleventh month of the fifth year of the Hoi * Phong era (1096),235 Mãn Giác announced that he was ill and spoke a verse to instruct his disciples:
When spring goes, the hundred flowers wither, When spring comes, the hundred flowers bloom. One thing after another, life passes before our eyes, Old age comes from above.
Don't think that all flowers fall as spring ends, [22b] In the courtyard last night a plum branch
bloomed.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
That evening Mãn Giác passed away while sitting in the lotus position. He was forty­five years old and had been a monk for nineteen years. [To mark his passing] the emperor provided a lavish ceremony, and all the chief courtiers and officials offered incense. The body was cremated and the relics gathered in a stupa at Sùng Nghiêm Temple in An Cách Village. The emperor granted him the posthumous title Mãn Giác [which means "perfect enlightenment"].
Ngo* An* (1020–1088)
[22b4] Zen Master Ngô Ân of Long Ân Temple, Mount Ninh So'n,236 Ú'ng Thiên Prefecture,237 was a native of Kim Bài Village,238 Tu' Lý. His family name was Ðàm, and his personal name was Khí. His mother's maiden name was Cù. Formerly, before getting married she lived near the Mo* forest. Having witnessed the fate of many birds shot down from their nests,239 she vowed: "I would rather do good and die than commit evil to live. "
One day, while she was weaving inside, a big ape came from the forest and hugged her from behind for the whole day long before he left. After that Cù felt that she was pregnant. When she gave birth to a child, she detested him so much that she abandoned him in the forest. A Champa monk named Ðàm who lived in the same village took the child home and brought him up. Therefore, he was named Khí [which means "abandoned"].
Page 132
At the age of ten, he started studying Confucianism. His knowledge became better every day. He was especially versed in Chinese and Sanskrit. When he was nineteen, he left home to become a monk and was fully ordained. He concentrated on two scriptures, the Complete Enlightenment and the Lotus [23a], and plumbed their meanings.
After receiving the mind­seal from Master Quang * Trí of Quán Dinh* Temple, he entered Mount Ninh So'n and built himself a straw hut. He also gave himself the sobriquet Ngo* An* [which means "Seal of Enlightenment"].
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Once a monk asked: "What is the great Path? " Ngô Ân said: "The great road. " The monk continued: "I was asking about the great Path and you answered me with the great road. I have no idea when I can attain the great Path. " Ngô Ân said: "A kitten doesn't know how to catch mice yet. " The monk continued: "Does a kitten have Buddha nature? '' Ngô Ân said: "No! "240 The monk continued: "Teacher, do you have Buddha nature? " Ngô Ân said: "No! " The monk asked: "All sentient beings have Buddha nature, why only you do not? " Ngô Ân said: "Because I'm not a sentient being. " The monk continued: "If you are not a sentient being, are you a Buddha then? " Ngô Ân said: "I'm neither a Buddha nor a sentient being. "241
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Someone asked: "What is Buddha? What is Dharma? What is Zen? " Ngô Ân said: "As for the unexcelled Dharma King, his body is Buddha, his speech is Dharma, and his mind is Zen. Although they are three, their foundation is one. For instance, the water of the three rivers has different names according to different places. Although the names are different, the nature of water is one. "242
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
On the fourteenth day of the sixth month of the Quang Huu* era (1088), [23b] when he was about to pass away, Ngô Ân spoke a verse:
The wondrous nature of Emptiness is inconceivable, Yet it is not at all difficult to realize it with empty mind. A jewel burned on the mountain, its color is constantly
bright,
And a lotus blooms in the furnace, its moisture
never dries up.
As his verse ended, he passed away peacefully. He was sixty­nine years old. His disciples were in mourning for three years.
Page 133
Dao * Hue* (? –1173)
Ninth Generation:
Eight Persons, Six Biographies Recorded
[23b5] Zen Master Ðao Huê of Quang Minh Temple, Mount Thiên Phúc, Tiên Du, was a native of Nhu' Nguyet*,243 Chân Ho*. 244 His family name was Âu. He had an upright appearance and a clear voice. At the age of twenty­five, he became a monk under Ngô Pháp Hoa245 of Pho* Ninh Temple. He was in intimate contact
with his mystic teaching and profoundly comprehended its essence.
Subsequently he came to Quang Minh Temple to rest his staff, where he also investigated and observed the Discipline (vinaya) as well as vigorously practicing meditation. For six years he did not lie down. 246 He profoundly mastered the three­contemplation samadhi*. His disciples numbered in the thousands. He chanted the
sutras* day and night, and even apes and monkeys in the mountains were moved [by his virtue] and came to him to hear the Dharma. His fame finally reached the emperor.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
In the twentieth year of the Dai* Dinh* era (1161), the royal concubine Thuy* Minh fell ill. 247 The Emperor Lý Anh Tông (r. 1138–1175)248 dispatched an envoy to
invite Ðao Huê to the capital to cure her illness. When he left the mountain, [24a] the apes and monkeys cried in grief as if they felt the sadness of farewell.
When he arrived at the imperial palace he just stood in front of the concubine's bedroom and she was immediately cured. Lý Anh Tông was greatly pleased and lodged him at Báo Thiên Temple. 249 Within a month, his admirers—both court officials and religious men—countless in number, flocked to the temple to have an
audience with him. Ðao Huê thus began to teach and convert people [in the capital] and did not return to his mountain. His successors in the Dharma formed a very prosperous school.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
On the first day of the eighth month of the tenth year, at* hoi*, of the Chính Long Bao* Ú'ng era (1172),250 Ðao Huê fell ill. He lamented: "The disorder increases, where does it come from? " He then spoke a verse:
Earth, water, fire, space and consciousness, Are all originally empty.
Like clouds they gather and disperse,
Yet the Buddha­sun shines unceasingly.
Page 134
And:
The form body and the mysterious essence 251 Are neither united nor separated.
If one is to discriminate,
[It is like] a flower in the furnace.
At the third watch of the night he silently passed away. His disciple Quách Tang* Thong* prepared offerings and brought his body back to his native district to cremate. After the spiritual mourning period was over, a stupa was built at Bao* Khâm Temple on Mount Tiên Du to house his relics. 252
Bao Giám (? –1173)
[24b2] Zen Master Bao Giám of Bao Phúc Temple, Quân Chu'o'ng, My* Lu'o'ng Prefecture,253 was a native of Trung Thuy* Village. 254 His family name was Kieu*; his first name was Phù. As a man he was loyal, faithful, courteous, sincere, calm, and simple. At a tender age he specialized in Confucianism and studied thoroughly the Books of Odes, Documents, Rites, and Changes. 255 He had great skills in calligraphy. Under the reign of Lý Anh Tông he held the office of Palace Lord in
Waiting. 2 5 6
At the age of thirty, he resigned from his office and went to shave his head and become a monk under the guidance of the abbot of Bao Phúc Temple at Ða Vân. The Tripitaka* of this temple was handcopied by Bao Giám himself. When the abbot of the temple passed away, Bao Giám followed in his footsteps and assumed the abbotship. His lifestyle was perpetually simple. He always wore coarse hempen garments—never a bit of silk. He persisted in that lifestyle for years without a thought of retreating.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
He once told his disciples: "Exertion is what it takes to enter the Buddha Vehicle, but wisdom is the means to become Buddha and attain perfect enlightenment. It is like shooting at a target at a distance over a hundred feet. What makes [the arrow] reach the mark is one's strength, but what makes it hit the mark is not one's strength [but one's aim]. 257
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
On the seventh day of the fifth month of the eleventh year of the Chính Long Bao Ú'ng era (1173), when he was about to pass away, Bao Giám spoke a verse:
Page 135
The attainment of enlightenment seldom relies on cultivation,
Which only restrains [25a] the excellent wisdom. When one realizes the jewel of the mysterious truth, It is like the sun appearing in the sky.
And:
Wisdom is like the moon shining in the sky, Whose light encompasses this world and shines
limitlessly.
If one wants to recognize it one must discern
That the thickets on the mountain ridges are locked
in the evening midst.
He also said: "The Tathagata's * mind and intent are inconceivable. One must attain it by means of immeasurable wisdom. Therefore, we know that the Tathagata's mind is like space,258 which is the support of all, and so is the Tathagata's wisdom. " After speaking these words, Bao* Giám passed away. His disciples [cremated his body,] collected the relics, and built a stupa to house them.
Không Lo* (? –1119)
[25a7] Zen Master Không Lô259 of Nghiêm Quang Temple, Hai* Thanh,260 hailed from Nghiêm Quang, Hai Thanh. His family name was Du'o'ng. His family had been fishermen. Subsequently, he gave up fishing, devoted himself to Buddhism, and practiced chanting dharanis*. During the Chu'o'ng Thánh Gia Khánh era (1059– 1065), together with his Dharma companion Giác Hai,261 he traveled everywhere. Finally, they made their abode at Hà Trach* Temple. 262 He would clothe himself in grass clothes and feed himself with wild fruits to the point that he forgot his own body. Outside he cut off yearnings, inside he cultivated Zen. His mind, spirit, ears, and eyes became clear. He could fly [25b] in the air and walk on water, tame tigers and conquer dragons. His supernatural powers were so multifarious that no one could fathom them. 263
Subsequently, he returned to his home district and built a temple. One day his attendant said, "Since I've been here I haven't been instructed about the essence of the mind. I venture to present a verse:
The mind and body need to be cultivated to be pure, The straight tree with many branches stands in the
empty yard.
Page 136
Someone comes to ask about the Dharma of the King of Emptiness, 264
The body sits by the wall reflecting shadows and images.
Không Lo* read it and said, "You brought the scriptures, I took it; you brought the water, I drank. There has never been any occasion that I wasn't instructing you
about the essence of the mind. "265 Then he burst out laughing. Không Lô once said a verse:
I've found a land of dragon and snakes to settle down in,
This rustic pleasure brings joy the whole day through. At times I'd climb to the solitary mountain tops,
And utter a long whistle that chills the universe. 266
He passed away on the third day of the sixth month of the tenth year, ky* hoi*, of the Hoi* Tu'ò'ng Dai* Khánh era (1119). His students collected his remains and interred them in front of the temple. Later on, the temple was enlarged by royal edict, and the levies on twenty families were collected for its upkeep.
This monk had no date for us to investigate. Now we follow the successions of the transmission of the Dharma in the Diagram of the Southern School to write his biography.
Bon* Tinh* (1110–1176)
[26a1] Zen Master Bôn Tinh of Bình Du'o'ng Retreat, Mount Chí Linh, Kiet* Trì,267 was a native of Vinh* Khang, Phù Dien*. 268 His family name was Kieu*. As a child he was very studious; he penetrated the Buddhist teaching on the mystic meaning of birth and death and traced the Confucian teaching on humaneness.
He received the essence [of Zen] from Master Mãn Giác of Giáo Nguyên Temple. In the second year of the Ðai Dinh* era (1141), he moved his abode to Mount Tù' So'n. The official Nguy* Quoc* Bao*269 admired his virtue and served him with the reverence due a teacher.
Afterward Bôn Tinh accepted the invitation of a gentleman named Du'o'ng in the capital to become the abbot of Kien* An Temple. Bôn Tinh often made this great vow, saying: "Life after life, may I never misunderstand the Buddha Dharma; may I attain enlightenment myself and enlighten others; may I always be free from the discrimination between self and others; may I, through skillful means, guide sentient beings into the same truth. "
Page 137
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
One day in the first month of the first year of the Trinh Phù era (1176), without any illness, Bon * Tinh* instructed his disciples:
One truth, one truth,
The stone cat wags its tail,
And jumps to catch a mouse. Then it turns into a ghost,
If you want to discern clearly, Gold is born in the Le* River. 270
He also spoke a verse:
This illusory body comes from the quiescent emptiness, Like an image appears on a mirror.
When you realize the [true nature of] the image,
all are empty.
The illusory body immediately realizes True Reality.
After speaking the verse he passed away; he was seventy–seven years old. 271 Minh Trí
(? –1196)
Tenth Generation:
Twelve Persons, Ten Biographies Recorded
[26b3] Zen Master Minh Trí, formerly called Thien* Trí, of Phúc Thánh Temple, Dien* Lãnh, was a native of Phù Cam* Village. 272 His family name was Tô. He was intelligent and wise by nature and was widely read. When he was in his teens273 he met the Venerable Dao* Hue*. He then abandoned the mundane world to enter the monk's way. Soon he grasped the mysterious essence [of Buddhism] and clearly understood the purport of the Complete Enlightenment, the Benevolent
Kings,274 the Lotus, and the Transmission of the Lamp. He taught the people indefatigably; therefore, the emperor bestowed on him the sobriquet Minh Trí [which means "Illuminating Wisdom"].
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
One day while Minh Trí and his students were cutting grass, a monk suddenly stopped working and stood to his left side. Minh Trí threw the sickle down in front of the monk, cutting a blade of grass. The monk said: "The ancient worthies said, 'Teacher, you can only cut that one. '" Minh Trí picked up his sickle. The monk took it and made a gesture as
Page 138
if he were cutting grass. Minh Trí said: "Do you still remember what has just been said, that 'you can only cut that one, not this one'? " 275 The monk stopped his act.
[On another occasion,] Minh Trí was talking to a monk when another monk who stood next to them said: "Talking is Manjusri*, keeping silent is Vimalakirti*. "276 Minh Trí said: "Neither [27a] talking nor keeping silent—isn't that you? " The monk agreed. Minh Trí said: "Why haven't you shown your supernatural power? '' The monk said: "I'm not declining to show my supernatural power, I'm only afraid that Your Venerable will include me among the adherents of the scriptural teachings. "277 Minh Trí said: "You are not the eye of the transmission outside the teaching yet. "278
He then spoke a verse:
It is possible to transmit outside the teaching,
The profundity of Buddhas and Patriarchs is subtle and
inconceivable. 279
If one wants to discern it,
It is like searching for smoke in illusion. 280
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
On an unknown date during the eleventh year, bính thìn, of the Thiên Tu' Gia Thuy* era (1196), when he was about to pass away, Minh Trí spoke a verse:
Wind in the pines, moon bright in the water, It has no image and no form.
This one is the form body,281
Amidst empty emptiness, seeking an echo.
As his verse ended, he silently passed away.
Tín Hoc* (? –1190)
[27a8] Zen Master Tín Hoc of Quán Dinh* Temple, Mount Không Lo*, was a native of Chu Minh, Thiên Ðú'c Prefecture. His family name was Tô. For generations his family was in the profession of carving blocks for printing Buddhist scriptures.
When he was young, he served Master Thanh Gió'i and did not make friends carelessly. At the age of thirty­two, together with Zen Master Du, he came to Master Dao* Hue* of Mount Tiên Du—he had his head shaved and became a monk. He served Ðao Huê for three years and
Page 139
profoundly grasped the message of Zen. Then he went traveling by himself. Afterward, he settled down here at [Quán Dinh *] Temple. <><><><><><><><><><><><>
Tín Hoc* would often burn his fingers282 in front of the Buddha statue [27b] and make a great vow, saying: "I have wandered about in the defiled world for many
aeons. I vow not to create any karma that will bind me to it again. " He devoted himself to the practice of the three contemplations283 according to the Complete Enlightenment Sutra*. He ate only one meal a day, so his body and face became pale and emaciated. He persisted that way for many years without a sign of growing weary of it, and deeply attained the true essence of the three contemplations. Nobles, court officials and commoners all respected and honored him highly and vied to serve him.
[One day] he said [to himself]: "Where there is the profit there must be defilement, where there is defilement there must be profit. The Bodhisattva does not act where both defilement and profit are there, but only where there is neither profit nor defilement. "
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
On the ninth day of the first month of the first year, canh thân, of the Thiên Tu' Gia Thuy* era (1190),284 Tín Hoc announced he was ill and spoke a verse to instruct his disciples:
The tigers and panthers in the mountain,
Have various patterns and stripes on their bodies.
If you want to tell them apart,
The chicks peck from inside the shell while the mother
pecks from the outside. 285
After speaking the verse, he died. 286
Tinh* Không (1091–1170)
[27b8] Zen Master Tinh Không of Khai Quoc* Temple, Thiên Ðú'c Prefecture, was originally from Phúc Xuyên. 287 His family name was Ngô. At first he was ordained at Sùng Phúc Temple in his native district.
At the age of thirty, he traveled to the south and settled down at Khai Quôc Temple. For five or six years he devoted himself to austerities. Each day he ate only one grain of sesame and one grain of wheat. He would sit [in meditation all night] without sleeping Whenever he en­
Page 140
Page 141
tered samadhi * (meditative concentration), it would go on for a few days [28a] before he arose from it. Donors from all over brought him mountains of gifts. Some came to spy on him with the intention of stealing, but Tinh* Không would tell them where to get what they wanted.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
When Princess Nam Khu'o'ng wanted to leave the mundane world, she privately prepared offerings and invited Tinh Không to preside over her ordination. The court learned about this and issued a decree to arrest him. Yet when Tinh Không arrived at the court, his countenance was calm. The emperor [Lý Anh Tông] had even more respect for him and honored him as a great monk of eminent virtue. Tinh Không persistently declined to be at court.
One day, when Tinh Không had gone up to the teaching hall, a monk with a staff came and asked: "What is the Truth Body (Dharmakaya*)? " Tinh Không said: "The Truth Body is originally without form. " The monk continued: "What is the Dharma­eye (dharma­caksu*)? "288 Tinh Không said: "The Dharma­eye is originally without obstruction. " He again said: ''There is no Dharma in front of the eye. There is only consciousness in front of the eye. The Dharma is not within range of ear and eye. " The monk laughed loudly. Tinh Không said: "What are you laughing about? " The monk said: "You're the type who has left the world to become a monk but has not grasped the message [of Zen]. You should go study with Master Dao* Hue*. " Tinh Không said: "Can I still go see this master? " The monk said: "Above there's not a
single roof tile, below there's not enough ground to stick an awl into. "289 Tinh Không then changed his clothes and headed for Mount Tiên Du. <><><><><><><><><><><><>
Ðao Huê said: "It's not that there's no truth here, but how could you, Reverend, preserve it? " Tinh Không was about to [28b] argue, when Ðao Huê shouted: "It's right in front of you and you stumbled past it. " Tinh Không understood the meaning of Ðao Hue's* words; after that he stayed on as his personal attendant for three years.
Subsequently he returned to his original temple and accepted students. One day, he assembled his students and spoke a verse:
Above not a tile to cover us,
Below not enough ground to stick in an awl.
Some change their clothes and come directly,
Some arrive with their staffs.
When they move and turn at the point of contact, They are like dragons jumping up to swallow the bait.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "What is the meaning of the direct pointing [of Zen teaching] since antiquity? " 290 Tinh* Không said: "One harvests every day, yet the granary is always empty. " The monk continued: "I don't understand. '' Tinh Không said: "The sun and the moon constantly shine, yet they are covered by floating clouds. "
Once, Tinh Không spoke a verse:
The wise ones do not attain enlightenment, Only the fools attain enlightenment.
I'm just a guy who lies at leisure with my legs
stretched out,
How could I discriminate between true and false? 291
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "What is Buddha? " Tinh Không said: "The sun and the moon are in the sky for ten thousands of aeons. Who knows about the cloud and mist that fall on mountains and rivers? " The monk continued: "How can one comprehend it? " Tinh Không said: "The herd boy is used to lounging on the back of a buffalo, but
among gentlemen only the brave can sit astride him. "292 The monk asked: "Are the intent of the [Zen] patriarchs and the intent of the scriptural teachings the same or different? "293 Tinh Không said: "Climbing mountains and crossing seas for tens of thousands of miles, all arrive at the imperial city. " The monk asked: [29a] "If you have something special, Teacher? Why don't you explain it to me? " Tinh Không said: "You blow on the fire, I'll cook the rice; you beg for alms, I'll take the bowl. Who
ever lets you down? "294 The monk became enlightened.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
On an unknown date in the eighth year of the Chính Long Bao* Ú'ng era (1170), when he was about to pass away, Tinh Không spoke his last words to his students:
"You should take care of yourselves just as in the days when I was still with you. Do not get involved with mundane things and start grieving and longing for me. "295 At midnight,296 he sat in lotus position and departed forever. He was eighty years old at that time.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Enlightenment story and encounter dialogues recorded in this biography are somewhat similar to the biography of Venerable Jiashan297 in
Page 142
Page 143
the Transmission of the Lamp. When I compared this to the Hue * Nhat* Liet* To* Yeu* Nghia* [Essential Sayings of the Patriarchs by Hue* Nhat*],298 I found it differently recorded, so I dared not correct it.
Dai* Xa* (1120–1180)
[29a7] Zen Master Dai Xa of Báo Ðú'c Temple,299 Mount Vu* Ninh,300 was a native of Ðông Tác Quarter. 301 His family name was Hú'a. As a child he entered the Buddhist Order and went to study and practice Zen with Master Dao* Huê of Mount Tiên Du. After getting a rough grasp of their general purport, he made the chanting of the Avatamsaka­Sutra*302 and the Samantabhadramantra303 his daily practice. Sometimes he forgot to shave his head and neglected his meals. He did not have a fixed abode. The court nobles vied to be first to serve him. Lord Kien* Ninh304 and Princess Thiên Cu'c*305 also had special admiration for him.
Ðai Xa built a temple at Tuyên Minh, Ho* Nham,306 to teach [the Dharma] and convert [people]. [29b] Students were drawn by his renown. A Song monk named Old Man Yan heard of him and was moved with admiration. He then burnt off a finger as an offering to Ðai Xa.
Some suspected that Ðai Xa practiced sorcery; during the Thiên Cam* Chí Bao* era (1174–1175), Grand Commandant Do* Anh Vu307 gave orders to take him into custody. Though severely tortured, Ðai Xa showed no sign of fear. [Later on,] thanks to the petition of Princess Thiên Cu'c, he was released.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
One day, Emperor Lý Anh Tông summoned Ðai Xa to his palace and asked: "I have many afflictions. Is there any method to deal with them? " Ðai Xa said: "The twelve links of dependent origination (pratityasamutpada*) are the root of cyclic existence. If you want to cure your afflictions, this teaching is the best medicine. " Lý Anh Tông enquired about its meaning. Ðai Xa said: "Ignorance is the cause and condition for all the links from predisposition up to grief, sadness and suffering. If one wishes to attain the fruit of Solitary Buddhas (Pratyekabuddha),308 one should contemplate309 this doctrine of dependent origination and use it to deal with this body: then there will be no afflictive karma. "
Lý Anh Tông said: "If so, does that mean that I have to calm my mind and practice? " Ðai Xa said: "When you can keep your karmic consciousness under control, then your afflictions are calm. There is no other
method to be practiced. Formerly, Liang Wudi 310 often asked Zen Master Baozhi311 about this, and Zhi also replied like this. Today, I presume [30a] to mention this to Your Majesty. "312
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
On the fifth day of the second month of the fifth year of the Trinh Phù era (1180), after giving instructions to his students, Dai* Xa* spoke a verse:
The four serpents313 together in the box314 are originally empty,
The five aggregates are as high as mountains, yet they are also without foundation.