Isn't it
something
to rejoice in?
Thiyen Uyen Tap
E.
) of the Later Zhou dynasty.
Khuông Viet* (933–1011)
Fourth Generation: Two Persons
[8a6] The Great Master Khuông Viêt (who earlier was called Chân Lu'u)50 of Phat* Ðà Temple, Cát Loi* Village, Thu'ò'ng Lac*,51 was a native of Cát Lo'i. His family name was Ngô. He was a descendant of Ngô Thuan* De*. He had an imposing appearance and untrammeled intent. As a boy he studied Confucianism, but
when he grew up he turned to Buddhism. 52 Together with a schoolmate of his, he went to Zen Master Vân Phong of Khai Quoc* Temple and received ordination from him. From then on he read widely in the Buddhist scriptures53 and plumbed the essential teachings of Zen.
When he was in his forties, his fame made an impact on the royal court. Emperor Ðinh Tiên Hoàng (r. 968–979)54 summoned him for an audience. The emperor was pleased with him and honored him with the rank General Supervisor of Monks (Tang* Thong*). 55 In the second year of the Thái Bình era (971), the emperor granted him the sobriquet Khuông Viêt Thái Su' [which means "the Great Master Who Brings Order to Viêt. "]
Emperor Lê Dai* Hành (r. 980–1005)56 honored Khuông Viêt even more: [8b] Khuông Viêt participated in all military and court affairs. He often visited Mount Ve*
Linh57 in Bình Lo* Prefecture58 and grew to love the elegant scenery there. He wanted to build a hermitage and settle down there. One night he had a dream in which he saw a spirit wearing golden armor, holding a golden lance in his right hand and a jewel stupa in his
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left hand. He was accompanied by ten or more fearsomelooking attendants. The spirit came and told him: "I am the Celestial King Vaisravana *,59 and my attendants are all yaksas*. The lord of heaven has ordered us to come to this country to protect its border and enable the BuddhaDharma to flourish. I have a karmic affinity with you, so I have come to entrust this task to you. "
Khuông Viet* woke up in astonishment. He heard the sound of shouting in the mountains. He thought the whole thing very strange. When dawn came, he went into the mountains and saw a great tree more than a hundred feet high, with many branches and luxuriant foliage. Above it was an auspicious cloud. Khuông Viêt had some
workmen cut it down, and he had it carved into the image of what he had seen in his dream. It was housed in a shrine. 60
In the first year of the Tianfu era (981), the Chinese army of the Song regime invaded Vietnam. The emperor [Lê Dai* Hành] had heard of [the Vaisravana episode], so he ordered Khuông Viêt to go to that shrine and pray [for national salvation]. The enemy took fright and fled to the Ninh River in Bao* Huu*. 61 Wild waves arose, raised by the wind, and flooddragons appeared leaping and prancing about. The Chinese army [9a] fled in complete disarray.
In the seventh year [of the Tianfu era (987)] the Song envoy Li Jue62 came [to Vietnam] on a peace mission. At this time the Dharma Master Do* Thuan* was also well known. 6 3 The Emperor Lê Ðai Hành ordered Khuông Viêt to put aside his monk's garb and to act as a court minister. 6 4 [Along with the delegation of courtiers and the emperor himself,] he met with Li Jue at the frontier. Li Jue saw that he was wellversed in literature and repartee, so he offered him a verse: "Beyond the sky
there is another sky which we must reflect back on. "65 Khuông Viêt told Lê Ðai Hành: "This shows that he honors Your Majesty no different than his own lord. " When Li Jue went back to China, Khuông Viêt wrote him a farewell verse entitled Vu'o'ng Lang Qui (The Royal Emissary Returns Home), which reads as follows:
Embroidered sails extended in the auspicious sunshine and the fair wind,
The spirit immortal returns to the sovereign's home. Thousands of miles across the blue waves,
The road home to the ninth heaven is long.
How sad human feelings are as we face the cup of parting, Fondly we try to hold you back, illustrious Sir. 66
We hope you will exercise your profound intent on behalf of this southern land,
Report clearly to our sovereign.
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Later Khuông Viet * resigned from office, pleading old age and ill health, and then returned to his home area and built a temple on Mount Du Hí, which he presided over as abbot. Students gathered around him.
One day his advanced student Ða Bao* asked him: "What is the beginning and end of studying the Path? " Khuông Viêt said: "From beginning to end, there is nothing in the wondrous emptiness. When you can understand Thusness (tathata*), everything is of the same nature. " Ða Bao asked: "How does one preserve it? " Khuông Viêt said: ''There is no place for you to set to work. " [9b] Ða Bao said: "Master, you have said it all. " Khuông Viêt said: "How do you understand that? " Ða Bao gave a shout.
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On the fifteenth day of the second month of the second year of the Thuan* Thiên era (1011) of the Lý dynasty, when he was about to die, Khuông Viêt spoke a verse to Ða Bao:
The fire was already there in the wood,
Fire was there, then it came to life again.
If you say there is no fire in wood,
How could flames spring up when we drill for fire?
As his verse ended, he passed away seated in the lotus position. He was fiftytwo years old. (Another source says he was seventynine. )67
Ða Bao*
Fifth Generation: Two Persons
[9b6] It was not known where Zen Master Ða Bao was from or what his family name was. He later dwelt at Kien* So' Temple in Phù Dong* Village, Tiên Du. At the time the Great Master Khuông Viêt was at Khai Quoc* Temple teaching, and Ða Bao came to study with him. Khuông Viêt was gladdened by his insight when faced with situations and the diligent way he dealt with things. Only Ða Bao was permitted to enter Khuông Viet's* private room. After Ða Bao attained the Dharma, he wandered far beyond the mundane world with only a pitcher and a bowl. Finally he came to settle down at Kiên So' Temple.
Before Lý Thái To* (r. 1010–1028)68 ascended the throne,69 Ða Bao met him and saw his unusual appearance. He said: "This young man has an uncommon physiognomy. In the future he will be a king. "7 0 Lý Thái Tô
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was greatly shocked and said: "At the present time [10a] our sage king is still reigning and the country is at peace. How can you say something like this that could get my whole family wiped out? " Ða Bao * said: "The Mandate of Heaven7 1 has already been decided. Even if you wish to avoid it, it is impossible to do so. If these words prove correct, please do not forsake me. "72
When Lý Thái To* ascended the throne, he often invited Ða Bao to court to ask him for lessons in Zen, and he would reward him with generous donations. Ða Bao was even consulted about all court and political matters. There was a royal decree that ordered his temple rebuilt.
Ða Bao subsequently died, but no one knows where or when.
Dinh* Hu'o'ng (? –1051)
Sixth Generation:
Three Persons, Two Biographies Recorded
[10a7] The Elder Dinh Hu'o'ng of Cam* Ú'ng Temple, Bà So'n,73 Thiên Ðú'c Prefecture,74 was a native of Chu Minh75 of the Lu' family. His family had practiced Buddhism for generations. At a tender age he followed Zen Master Ða Bao of Kien* So' Temple, and for twentyfour years he served him. Ða Bao had more than a
hundred disciples, and Ðinh Hu'o'ng was foremost among them, along with National Preceptor Bão Hoà. 76 Ðinh Hu'o'ng entered deeply into Ða Bao's* mystic secrets.
One day Ðinh Hu'o'ng asked Ða Bao: "How can I get to see the true mind? " Ða Bao said: "You have to unfurl it for yourself. " Ðinh Hu'o'ng emptied through as he got the message and said: "Everything is so, [10b] not just me. " Ða Bao said: "Do you understand yet or not? '' Ðinh Hu'o'ng said: "Even when I have understood, it is no different from when I did not understand. "77 Ða Bao said: "You must preserve it. " Ðinh Hu'o'ng covered his ears and stood with his back turned. Ða Bao gave a shout and Ðinh Hu'o'ng bowed. Ða Bao said: "In the future you will deal with people like a deaf man. "
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Commander General and Defense Commissioner Nguyen* Tuân respected Ðinh Hu'o'ng's reputation for virtue and invited him to Cam Ú'ng Temple. Ðinh Hu'o'ng settled there, and students gathered like clouds. He proselytized with great success and spread the transformative influence [of the Dharma].
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On the third day of the third month of the third year, canh dan *, of the Sùng Hu'ng Dai* Bao* era (1050) of Lý Thái Tông's reign (1028–1054),7 8 Dinh* Hu'o'ng fell ill. He called together the assembly to say farewell and spoke a verse:
Originally there is no abode,79
Our abode is the true school [of Zen].
The true school is illusory like this,
Illusory existence equals emptiness of emptiness.
After his verse ended, he abruptly passed away.
Thien* Lão
[10b9] Zen Master Thiên Lão of Trùng Minh Temple on Mount Thiên Phúc80 in Tiên Du studied with Ða Bao of Kien* So' Temple in his early years and comprehended the essence of mind. Then he moved to Tù' So'n81 and planted his staff there. The influence of his Zen grew stronger and stronger, and students came
to him by the thousands. His temple became one of the most flourishing in the Buddhist community. During the years of the Thông Thuy* era (1034–1038), Lý Thái Tông often [11a] visited his temple.
Once Lý Thái Tông asked him: "How long have you been on this mountain, Master? " Thiên Lão said: "I only know the sun and the moon of today. Who knows about past springs and autumns? " The emperor asked: ''How do you pass the days? " Thiên Lão replied: "The green bamboos and yellow flowers are not external objects.
White clouds and bright moon reveal true nature. "82 The emperor said: "What does this mean? " Thiên Lão said: "If I say too much now, there will be little benefit later. " The emperor suddenly had some insight.
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Once Emperor Lý Thái Tông dispatched an envoy to bring Thiên Lão to court to ask for his advice, but Thiên Lão had already passed away. 83 The emperor deeply mourned his passing and personally composed verses expressing his grief. He sent an envoy to arrange for a vegetarian feast [in honor of Thiên Lão] and to pay his respects. They built a pyre, cremated the body, and collected his remains. They erected a stupa [for Thiên Lão's remains] outside the temple gate [at Trùng Minh]. The emperor had the temple enlarged and repaired, and assigned people to take care of the upkeep and supplies of the temple.
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Viên Chieu * (999–1090)
Seventh Generation: Seven Persons
[11a9] Zen Master Viên Chieu of Cát Tu'ò'ng Temple in the capital of Thang* Long hailed from Phúc Ðu'ò'ng84 in Long Ðàm Prefecture;85 his family name was Mai and his personal name Truc*. He was the son of the elder brother of Empress Lý Linh Cam*. 8 6 As a child he was very intelligent and studious.
When he heard that there was an elder adept in physiognomy at Mat* Nghiêm Temple in his home area, Viên Chiêu went to seek his advice. The elder looked him over thoroughly [11b] and said: "You have a karmic connection to the BuddhaDharma. If you leave home to become a monk you are sure to become a great Bodhisattva among humans. If not, it is difficult to guarantee how long you will live. " Viên Chiêu felt a sense of realization. He said farewell to his parents and received ordination from Dinh* Hu'o'ng on Mount Ba Tiêu. He served Ðinh Hu'o'ng for many years and investigated Zen studies. He always recited the Sutra* of Complete Enlightenment,87 and he was clear in the three methods of contemplation. 88
One night while Viên Chiêu was in deep concentration he saw the Bodhisattva Manjusri*89 cut open his stomach with a knife and wash out his guts. Then Mañjusri applied medicine to the wound. After this, what Viên Chiêu practiced in his mind seemed preordained to mesh [with Reality],90 and he had deep attainment in the samadhi* of words,91 expounding the Dharma most eloquently. Subsequently, he established a temple east of the capital and settled there—students came in droves.
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Once a monk asked Viên Chiêu: "What is the meaning of 'Buddha' and 'Sage'? " Viên Chiêu said: "At the autumn festival,9 2 chrysanthemums are blooming under the
hedge. In the pure air of spring orioles are singing in the branches. "93 The monk continued: "Thank you [for your answer], but I don't understand. Please instruct me again. " Viên Chiêu said: ''By day the sun shines, by night the moon is bright. "
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A monk asked: "I already grasped your true message, but how does the mystic mentality work? "9 4 Viên Chiêu said: "If you carry a full bowl of water without being careful and you slip, what's the use of being sorry? " The monk continued: "Thank you for your instruction, Teacher. " Viên
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Chieu * said: "Don't jump [12a] into the river and drown. You come in person but you sink yourself. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "Bodhidharma9 5 and Sakyamuni*9 6 are the supreme adepts. From ancient times until now who have succeeded to them as masters? "9 7 Viên Chiêu said: "Dark and light, the aspects of heaven, depend on sun and moon. Crooked and straight, the lines of earth become Yue and Huai. "98
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A monk asked: "What is the Great Path, the single road to the source? " Viên Chiêu said: "On high cliffs in the strong wind we know which plants are sturdy. When the
country is swept by rebellion we know which ministers are loyal. "9 9 <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "Where do all sentient beings come from and where do they go after they die? "100 Viên Chiêu said: "A blind turtle pierces a rock wall; a lame tortoise climbs a high mountain. "
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A monk asked: "The fresh green bamboos are all Thusness. What is the function of True Thusness? "101 Viên Chiêu said: "I offer this to you a thousand miles away, as I smile and hold a cup of tea. "102 The monk continued: "If so, what have I come here for in vain? ''103 Viên Chiêu said: "Who knew that on the way to the eastern mound104 one's hair would turn white? "
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A monk asked: "Dã Hiên's house is deep in the wilderness:105 Who would know to come knocking at its door in a free and easy way? " Viên Chiêu said: "The Golden Valley106 is deserted, and flowers and weeds grow wild—day and night cows and goats are free to enter it. " The monk continued: "Why is it like this? " Viên Chiêu said: "Those who are wealthy and of noble rank and arrogant to boot should know that richness collapses like a phantom tower. "107
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A monk asked: "The Dragon girl108 [12b] offered her jewel and attained Buddhahood. What would be the merit of a donor who gives many gifts? " Viên Chiêu said: "Cinnamon trees in the moonlight for ten thousand
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ages—they grow thick in [the light] of a single disc. " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'labor to no effect. '" Viên Chieu * said: "If we hang a mirror in the sky,109 we penetrate every place in the human realm. ''
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A monk asked: "To cross a river you must use a raft. 110 When you reach the shore, it is no longer needed. How is it when we do not cross? " Viên Chiêu said: "When the pond dries up, the fish are left on dry land, but they gain life for ten thousand years of springtime. " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'in order to attain the wondrous truth one must follow the stream'? "111 Viên Chiêu said: "I've heard that once Jing Ke112 left [for Qin], he never returned again. "
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A monk asked: "Gold and ore are mixed together: originally they are a single [complex of] matterenergy. I ask you, Teacher, please use your skillful methods and refine out the pure form. " Viên Chiêu said: "If you have never been the guest of the King of Qi, how could you know of the giant fish in the ocean? " The monk
continued: "What happens if gentleman Guo113 does not take the advice? " Viên Chiêu said: "If you want to have your wine to drink first, do not try to complicate matters by drawing feet on a snake. "114
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A monk asked: "The snake has died on the road. Please, Teacher, bring it back to life. "115 Viên Chiêu said: "Where are you from? " The monk said: "Originally I'm
from the mountains. " Viên Chiêu said: "Go back to your [13a] cliffside retreat right away and live in seclusion. Do not meet with Xu Zhen. "116 <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "The ocean store is a vast flood—we must not ask about it. What are the drops from the stream of Caoxi? "117 Viên Chiêu said: "Before the wind, under the pines, a cool rhythm. After the rain, on the road, soaked with mud. " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'it is no different from now'? "118 Viên Chiêu said: "Under the hedge, the autumn chrysanthemums. On the ends of the branches, orioles in the warm sun. "
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A monk asked: "It is clear in the mind's eye and bright in the form body, yet one can neither discriminate its inner truth nor see its characteristics.
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Why can't one see it? " 119 Viên Chieu* said: "The flowers in the garden are bright, the grass on the shore is sparse. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "When the season turns cold and the plants wither, what can we display? " Viên Chiêu said: "I'm glad you realize it yourself.
Isn't it something to rejoice in? " The monk said: "I'm fortunate to hear today's decisive instruction. From now on I'll avoid careless mistakes. " Viên Chiêu said: ''I've just lifted you out of the shallow water, but you turn back [and dive into] a bottomless pond. "
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A monk asked: "Even inside the citadel of nirvana it is still perilous. Is there anywhere that is not perilous? "120 Viên Chiêu said: "Build your nest on a curtain of flame;121 your grey hair is like reed flowers. " The monk continued: "When one is hard pressed, what good are these two bases? " Viên Chiêu [13b] said: "A real man goes along [with circumstances] with total abandon, and wanders free in the windy moonlight. "
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A monk asked: "They say that all sentient beings are Buddhas, but I'm not clear about this teaching. Please instruct me, Teacher. " Viên Chiêu said: "I urge you, Sir, to
devote yourself to farming. Don't imitate others and waste your energy waiting for a rabbit. "122 The monk went on: "I'm lucky to meet with your clear decisive explanation, Teacher. I won't seek from others ever again. " Viên Chiêu said: "What a pity that, having choked once, you sit here hungry but forget to eat. "
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A monk said: "Today here I see before me the precious jewel that has been hidden in a sack for many long years. "123 Viên Chiêu said: "I was waiting for the midautumn moon, but instead I get caught in clouds and rain. " The monk continued: "Though I hear your explanation, I'm not clear about the principle of it. " Viên Chiêu
said: "I laugh at the guy who held on to the bridge post and was drowned in midstream. "124 <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "What is the one Dharma? " Viên Chiêu said: "Even if you do not see spring birth and summer growth, you still meet with autumn ripening and winter
harvest. "125 The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'many people become Buddha'? " Viên Chiêu said: "Let Zu Long stop bustling around, because Xu Fu126 labored in vain in far away lands. "
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A monk asked: "What is the meaning of 'seeing inherent nature and becoming Buddha'? " Viên Chieu * said: "When spring comes the withered trees are adorned all over with flowers: the wind blows a thousand miles carrying their [14a] divine perfume. " The monk continued: ''I don't understand. Please instruct me again. Teacher. " Viên Chiêu said: "This eggfruit plant has been around for ten thousand years: its dense branches reach to the clouds. "127
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A monk said: "The mani jewel and the many colors are neither together nor apart. "128 Viên Chiêu said: "Spring flowers and butterflies—how many are fond of each other, how many are opposed? " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'follow them and mix in'? " Viên Chiêu said: "If you do not have the eyes of the Indian monk,129 you labor in vain offering the jewel of Bian. "130
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A monk asked: "What is the enlightenment that meets the eye? "131 Viên Chiêu said: "How many times alarmed by the crooked branch, the bird [which was once shot by a bow]. How often he blows on his cold vegetable, the man [who was once burned by hot soup]. " The monk continued: "I don't understand. Please give me another metaphor. " Viên Chiêu said: "A deaf man listens to the sound of the lute and a blind man looks up at the crescent moon. "
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A monk asked: "Inherently what has form also has shadow. Is the shadow sometimes separate from the form? " Viên Chiêu said: "All rivers head for the East Ocean, where the myriad currents flow together. All stars bow to the North Star, where for a thousand ages all turn their hearts. "
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A monk asked: "What is transcending thousands of millions [of phrases] when you completely comprehend a single phrase? "132 Viên Chiêu said: "From afar he tucks
[the giant mountain] Taishan under his arm and steps across the North Sea. Then turns his face upward133 he throws his staff into the moon. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "Only this one is real: the rest are not. 134 [14b] What is real? " Viên Chiêu said: "The wind moves easily on the tip of the staff. Rain on the road makes mud. "
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A monk asked: "What does it mean, 'Do not bring up the wondrous treasury to the Tathagata *; do not ask the patriarchs for fire to keep the lamp lit'? " Viên Chieu* said: "Under autumn skies, the orioles sing; in a snowy landscape, red peonies bloom. "
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A monk asked: "What is the most wondrous phrase? " Viên Chiêu said: "One man stands in the corner, the rest of the guests drink without joy. "
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A monk asked: "I'm not asking135 about the great events of the past and the present; I only want to know the meaning of Bodhidharma especially coming from the
West. "136 Viên Chiêu said: "Some are with clever speech and enticing appearance;137 some are drilling turtle shell and striking tiles. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "When mind and phenomena are both forgotten, inherent nature is real. 138 What is real? " Viên Chiêu said: "The raindrops on the cliffside flowers are the tears of a goddess. 139 The wind hitting the bamboo in the courtyard is the sound of Bo Ya's lute. "140
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A monk asked: "What is the most wondrous phrase? " Viên Chiêu said: "While the stick is still caught in your throat, you won't live very happily. "141 The monk
continued: "With realization and cultivation the four kinds of illness are revealed;142 transcending them, is one able to be free from the cage of sensory experience? " Viên Chiêu said: "The mountain is high and huge: it is able to contain all things; the ocean is vast and deep: it is able to accommodate many rivers. "
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A monk asked: "Only Buddhas understand that. 143 [15a] What does 'that' mean? " Viên Chiêu said: "In a narrow lane, bamboos are thick; the wind blows, a tune
forms by itself. "144 The monk continued: "No need for ordinariness, no need for naturalness, no need for function, what are we supposed to do now? " Viên Chiêu said: "In the thick grass the swallows nest, in the vast ocean the whales hide. "
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A monk asked: "I have carried along the four elements since time immemorial, please show me the means to get out of cyclic existence. " Viên Chieu * said: "Among the animals in the world, the rhinoceros is most precious, it feeds on thorns and sleeps in the mud. " The monk continued: "Both attachment and renunciation lie within cyclic existence, what is it like when there is neither? "145 Viên Chiêu said: "The purple plant has always been distinguished in its color, it has uneven leaves but no flowers. "1 4 6
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A monk asked: "What does it mean by 'cutting of the route of language'? "147 Viên Chiêu said: "Following the wind the sound of the horn comes through the bamboos, the moon atop the mountain ridge comes over the wall. " The monk continued: "The Buddhas teach in order to transform beings. Awakening to their original intention is called transcending the world. What does 'original intention' mean? " Viên Chiêu said: "Spring weaves flowers like brocade, when autumn comes the leaves look like gold. "
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A monk asked: "What is the one direct path? " Viên Chiêu [15b] said: "Horses and carriages travel back and forth, dust flies morning and evening. " The monk continued: "When there is [a false duality of] subject and object false consciousness arises. How are we to eliminate both subject and object? " Viên Chiêu said: "When you are equal to the lush green towering pine, how can you still be worrying about heavy falling snow and frost? "
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A monk asked: "What is the relationship between the patriarch's intention and the meaning of the scriptural teaching? " Viên Chiêu said: "When my spirits are high I lean on my stick and follow the shortcut through the clouds, when I'm tired I let down the blinds and sleep on my bamboo bed. " The monk continued: "The patriarchs
transmit it to each other, what do they transmit? "148 Viên Chiêu said: "When you're hungry you should find something to eat, when you're cold you look for clothes. "1 4 9
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A monk asked: "Everyone rents a house, where does a leaking man stay? " Viên Chiêu said: "With the sun and the moon, it's hard to tell whether they are full or not. " The monk continued: "What is the one path of Caoxi? "150 Viên Chiêu said: "How pitiable the man who marked his boat,151 he was confused everywhere. "
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Viên Chieu * composed a work called Duoc* Su' Thap* Nhi* Nguyen* Van* [The Twelve Vows of the Medicine King]152 and presented it to the throne. Emperor
Lý Nhân Tông (r. 1071–1127)153 gave a copy to the envoy from the Song court, who sent it along to the Chinese Emperor Zhezong (r. 1086–1100). 154 Zhezong summoned the master of Xiangguo Temple [to interpret the text]. When he had read it, he joined his palms and bowed in homage, saying: "In the south a flesh and blood Bodhisattva has appeared in the world, and he is well able to expound the Dharma. 155 [16a] How could this poor monk add or subtract anything? " The Chinese emperor then had another copy made and returned the original. When the Chinese envoy returned [to Vietnam] and reported this, Lý Nhân Tông was very pleased with Viên Chiêu and rewarded him richly.
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In the ninth month of the sixth year, canh ngo*, of the Quang* Huu* era (1090),156 without any signs of illness, Viên Chiêu instructed his disciples [for the last time] saying: "The bones, joints, sinews and veins in this body of mine are a combination of the four elements157—all are impermanent. It is like a house that is about to collapse, when all the beams tumble down. I bid you all farewell. Now listen to my verse:
The body is like a wall—it crumbles to the ground,
All the worldly people are agitated—none is not distressed. If you comprehend that mind is empty and formless,158 Then you let form and emptiness,
the hidden and the manifest, follow each other in turn.
His verse finished, Viên Chiêu passed away sitting upright. He was ninetytwo years old and had been a monk for fiftysix years. His writings now in circulation include the Tán Viên Giác Kinh [Eulogy on the Complete Enlightenment Sutra*], Thâp Nhi Bo* Tát Hanh* Tu Chú'ng Dao* Tràng [Enlightenment Realized by the
Twelve Bodhisattva Practices], and Tham Do* Hien* Quyet* [Revelation of the Decisive Secret for Students] in one volume. 159 Cú'u Chi*
[16a10] Zen Master Cú'u Chi of Diên Linh Temple on Mount Long Doi*160 in An Lãng was a native of Chu Minh, Phù Ðàm. His family name was Ðàm. When young he studied both Confucian and Buddhist books161 and thoroughly comprehended them all.
One day as he was reading, [16b] he sighed and said: "Both Confucius and Mozi were attached to being. Both Zhuangzi and Laozi were attached to nonbeing. The conventional classics are not the teaching of liberation. Only the Buddhist teaching approves neither being nor nonbeing and completely comprehends birth and death. One must maintain discipline and advance energetically, and seek the seal of approval from enlightened teachers. " So he abandoned conventional studies and went to call on the Elder Dinh * Hu'o'ng of Cam* Ú'ng Temple on Mount Bà So'n to receive ordination.
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One day while he was asking for instruction, Ðinh Hu'o'ng asked him: "What is the ultimate truth? "162 Cú'u Chi* said: "I don't know. " Ðinh Hu'o'ng said: "I already gave you the ultimate truth. " As Cú'u Chi hesitated trying to think what to say, Ðinh Hu'o'ng said: "You've missed it. " At these words, Cú'u Chi discovered the gist [of the Buddhist message]. Accordingly, Ðinh Hu'o'ng named him Cú'u Chi [which means ''Investigating the Gist"].
Subsequently, Cú'u Chi went to Quang Minh Temple on Mount Tiên Du, where he practiced austerities163 for six years without leaving the mountain. His reputation as a teacher [nevertheless] reached the imperial court. Emperor Lý Thái Tông invited him to the capital several times, but Cú'u Chi did not come. The emperor paid three visits to his temple to inquire after him. The Grand Preceptor Lu'o'ng Van* Nham*164 also greatly respected Cú'u Chi.
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During the Long Thuy* Thái Bình era (1054–1059), Prime Minister Du'o'ng Dao* Gia built a splendid temple and invited Cú'u Chi to become abbot there. Cú'u Chi declined, but [eventually] he had no choice but to obey the summons. The day he left Mount Tiên Du [17a] he said to his disciples: "I will never return here again. " The birds and beasts that lived on the mountain cried with grief incessantly for three weeks.
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After three years in the capital, sometime during the Chu'o'ng Thánh Gia Khánh era (1059–1065), when he was about to depart from the world, Cú'u Chi called together his disciples and said: "All Buddhist teachings originally come from your own inherent nature. The true nature of all phenomena originally comes from your mind. Mind and phenomena are One Thusness: fundamentally there is nothing else. All the defilements that bind you are empty. Misdeeds and merits, right and wrong are all
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illusions. There is nothing but cause and effect. In the realm of karma, do not differentiate: if you do you will not find freedom. You see all phenomena, but without any objects of seeing. You know all phenomena, but without any objects of knowing. You know that all phenomena have dependent origination (pratityasamutpada *) as their basis. You see that all phenomena have true reality as their source. Even amidst defilement, you understand that the world is like a magical apparition. You clearly comprehend that the true identity of sentient beings is the One Reality—there is no other reality. You do not abandon the karmic realm: you use the proper skillful means to show the uncreated Dharma in the realm of the created, but without differentiating and without the marks of creation. [17b] This is because desire is ended, self is forgotten, and conceptual elaborations (prapañca) are abandoned. "
Then Cú'u Chi* spoke a verse:
Body and mind are fundamentally quiescent and still, But through the transformations of spiritual powers,
all forms are manifested.
Both created and uncreated phenomena come from this, In worlds countless as the grains of sand on the banks
of the Ganges,
Though they fill all space,
When contemplated one by one, they are formless. For a thousand ages this has been difficult to describe, But everywhere in every world it is always luminous
and clear. 165
Cú'u Chi's* body was cremated at noon the same day he died. His remains were collected and a stupa was built to house them.
Bao* Tính (? –1034)
Minh Tâm (? –1034)
[17b6] The two Zen Masters Bao Tính and Minh Tâm166 of Cam* Ú'ng Temple on Mount Bà So'n in Thiên Phúc Prefecture were both natives of Chu Minh. Bao Tính's family name was Nghiêm and Minh Tâm's was Pham*. They were friends when young and later became spiritual companions when they left home to become monks. In their early years, together with Zen Master Viên Chieu*, both of them served the Elder Dinh* Hu'o'ng and got the marrow [of his teaching]. Afterward, they carried with them his mindseal and traveled around teaching. They were leading
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figures in the Buddhist community. Viên Chieu * left behind many songs and poems lauding their lofty aspirations. These have been gathered together in Viên Chieu's* collected works167 and need not be recorded here.
The two masters devoted themselves to chanting the Lotus Sutra* for more than fifteen years without ever neglecting it. Every time they came to the chapter on the Medicine King,168 [18a] they would shed tears and tell each other: "This Bodhisattva has influenced his causal ground with many aeons of cultivating the Great Vehicle Mind, but he still generates great vigor and advances energetically without cherishing his own life. How much the more so should beginners169 like us, living in the Last Age170 of the Dharma, do so! If we are not utterly sincere like this, how can we hope to glimpse enlightenment, the true mind of the Great Vehicle? "
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In the fourth month of the seventh year of the Thiên Thành era (1034), when the two masters were about to immolate themselves,171 they were invited to the imperial court. They organized an assembly [at court] to explain the scriptures. Then together they entered into the "samadhi* of firelight"172 [and immolated themselves]. The
bones that remained were all transformed into the seven kinds of jewel. 173 Emperor Ly Thái Tông ordered that the relics be kept in Tru'ò'ng Thánh Temple and offerings be made to them. Because of their unique spiritual qualities, the emperor changed the name of the temple [where the relics were housed] to Nguyên Thông
Tu'* Tháp174 [which means the "StupaTemple of Nguyên Thông"]. Quang* Trí
[18a7] Zen Master Quang Trí of Quán Dinh* Temple on Mount Không Lo*175 hailed from the capital. His family named was Nhan; he was a brother of Chu'o'ng Phung*, the royal concubine. 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
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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
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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.
Khuông Viet* (933–1011)
Fourth Generation: Two Persons
[8a6] The Great Master Khuông Viêt (who earlier was called Chân Lu'u)50 of Phat* Ðà Temple, Cát Loi* Village, Thu'ò'ng Lac*,51 was a native of Cát Lo'i. His family name was Ngô. He was a descendant of Ngô Thuan* De*. He had an imposing appearance and untrammeled intent. As a boy he studied Confucianism, but
when he grew up he turned to Buddhism. 52 Together with a schoolmate of his, he went to Zen Master Vân Phong of Khai Quoc* Temple and received ordination from him. From then on he read widely in the Buddhist scriptures53 and plumbed the essential teachings of Zen.
When he was in his forties, his fame made an impact on the royal court. Emperor Ðinh Tiên Hoàng (r. 968–979)54 summoned him for an audience. The emperor was pleased with him and honored him with the rank General Supervisor of Monks (Tang* Thong*). 55 In the second year of the Thái Bình era (971), the emperor granted him the sobriquet Khuông Viêt Thái Su' [which means "the Great Master Who Brings Order to Viêt. "]
Emperor Lê Dai* Hành (r. 980–1005)56 honored Khuông Viêt even more: [8b] Khuông Viêt participated in all military and court affairs. He often visited Mount Ve*
Linh57 in Bình Lo* Prefecture58 and grew to love the elegant scenery there. He wanted to build a hermitage and settle down there. One night he had a dream in which he saw a spirit wearing golden armor, holding a golden lance in his right hand and a jewel stupa in his
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left hand. He was accompanied by ten or more fearsomelooking attendants. The spirit came and told him: "I am the Celestial King Vaisravana *,59 and my attendants are all yaksas*. The lord of heaven has ordered us to come to this country to protect its border and enable the BuddhaDharma to flourish. I have a karmic affinity with you, so I have come to entrust this task to you. "
Khuông Viet* woke up in astonishment. He heard the sound of shouting in the mountains. He thought the whole thing very strange. When dawn came, he went into the mountains and saw a great tree more than a hundred feet high, with many branches and luxuriant foliage. Above it was an auspicious cloud. Khuông Viêt had some
workmen cut it down, and he had it carved into the image of what he had seen in his dream. It was housed in a shrine. 60
In the first year of the Tianfu era (981), the Chinese army of the Song regime invaded Vietnam. The emperor [Lê Dai* Hành] had heard of [the Vaisravana episode], so he ordered Khuông Viêt to go to that shrine and pray [for national salvation]. The enemy took fright and fled to the Ninh River in Bao* Huu*. 61 Wild waves arose, raised by the wind, and flooddragons appeared leaping and prancing about. The Chinese army [9a] fled in complete disarray.
In the seventh year [of the Tianfu era (987)] the Song envoy Li Jue62 came [to Vietnam] on a peace mission. At this time the Dharma Master Do* Thuan* was also well known. 6 3 The Emperor Lê Ðai Hành ordered Khuông Viêt to put aside his monk's garb and to act as a court minister. 6 4 [Along with the delegation of courtiers and the emperor himself,] he met with Li Jue at the frontier. Li Jue saw that he was wellversed in literature and repartee, so he offered him a verse: "Beyond the sky
there is another sky which we must reflect back on. "65 Khuông Viêt told Lê Ðai Hành: "This shows that he honors Your Majesty no different than his own lord. " When Li Jue went back to China, Khuông Viêt wrote him a farewell verse entitled Vu'o'ng Lang Qui (The Royal Emissary Returns Home), which reads as follows:
Embroidered sails extended in the auspicious sunshine and the fair wind,
The spirit immortal returns to the sovereign's home. Thousands of miles across the blue waves,
The road home to the ninth heaven is long.
How sad human feelings are as we face the cup of parting, Fondly we try to hold you back, illustrious Sir. 66
We hope you will exercise your profound intent on behalf of this southern land,
Report clearly to our sovereign.
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Later Khuông Viet * resigned from office, pleading old age and ill health, and then returned to his home area and built a temple on Mount Du Hí, which he presided over as abbot. Students gathered around him.
One day his advanced student Ða Bao* asked him: "What is the beginning and end of studying the Path? " Khuông Viêt said: "From beginning to end, there is nothing in the wondrous emptiness. When you can understand Thusness (tathata*), everything is of the same nature. " Ða Bao asked: "How does one preserve it? " Khuông Viêt said: ''There is no place for you to set to work. " [9b] Ða Bao said: "Master, you have said it all. " Khuông Viêt said: "How do you understand that? " Ða Bao gave a shout.
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On the fifteenth day of the second month of the second year of the Thuan* Thiên era (1011) of the Lý dynasty, when he was about to die, Khuông Viêt spoke a verse to Ða Bao:
The fire was already there in the wood,
Fire was there, then it came to life again.
If you say there is no fire in wood,
How could flames spring up when we drill for fire?
As his verse ended, he passed away seated in the lotus position. He was fiftytwo years old. (Another source says he was seventynine. )67
Ða Bao*
Fifth Generation: Two Persons
[9b6] It was not known where Zen Master Ða Bao was from or what his family name was. He later dwelt at Kien* So' Temple in Phù Dong* Village, Tiên Du. At the time the Great Master Khuông Viêt was at Khai Quoc* Temple teaching, and Ða Bao came to study with him. Khuông Viêt was gladdened by his insight when faced with situations and the diligent way he dealt with things. Only Ða Bao was permitted to enter Khuông Viet's* private room. After Ða Bao attained the Dharma, he wandered far beyond the mundane world with only a pitcher and a bowl. Finally he came to settle down at Kiên So' Temple.
Before Lý Thái To* (r. 1010–1028)68 ascended the throne,69 Ða Bao met him and saw his unusual appearance. He said: "This young man has an uncommon physiognomy. In the future he will be a king. "7 0 Lý Thái Tô
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was greatly shocked and said: "At the present time [10a] our sage king is still reigning and the country is at peace. How can you say something like this that could get my whole family wiped out? " Ða Bao * said: "The Mandate of Heaven7 1 has already been decided. Even if you wish to avoid it, it is impossible to do so. If these words prove correct, please do not forsake me. "72
When Lý Thái To* ascended the throne, he often invited Ða Bao to court to ask him for lessons in Zen, and he would reward him with generous donations. Ða Bao was even consulted about all court and political matters. There was a royal decree that ordered his temple rebuilt.
Ða Bao subsequently died, but no one knows where or when.
Dinh* Hu'o'ng (? –1051)
Sixth Generation:
Three Persons, Two Biographies Recorded
[10a7] The Elder Dinh Hu'o'ng of Cam* Ú'ng Temple, Bà So'n,73 Thiên Ðú'c Prefecture,74 was a native of Chu Minh75 of the Lu' family. His family had practiced Buddhism for generations. At a tender age he followed Zen Master Ða Bao of Kien* So' Temple, and for twentyfour years he served him. Ða Bao had more than a
hundred disciples, and Ðinh Hu'o'ng was foremost among them, along with National Preceptor Bão Hoà. 76 Ðinh Hu'o'ng entered deeply into Ða Bao's* mystic secrets.
One day Ðinh Hu'o'ng asked Ða Bao: "How can I get to see the true mind? " Ða Bao said: "You have to unfurl it for yourself. " Ðinh Hu'o'ng emptied through as he got the message and said: "Everything is so, [10b] not just me. " Ða Bao said: "Do you understand yet or not? '' Ðinh Hu'o'ng said: "Even when I have understood, it is no different from when I did not understand. "77 Ða Bao said: "You must preserve it. " Ðinh Hu'o'ng covered his ears and stood with his back turned. Ða Bao gave a shout and Ðinh Hu'o'ng bowed. Ða Bao said: "In the future you will deal with people like a deaf man. "
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Commander General and Defense Commissioner Nguyen* Tuân respected Ðinh Hu'o'ng's reputation for virtue and invited him to Cam Ú'ng Temple. Ðinh Hu'o'ng settled there, and students gathered like clouds. He proselytized with great success and spread the transformative influence [of the Dharma].
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On the third day of the third month of the third year, canh dan *, of the Sùng Hu'ng Dai* Bao* era (1050) of Lý Thái Tông's reign (1028–1054),7 8 Dinh* Hu'o'ng fell ill. He called together the assembly to say farewell and spoke a verse:
Originally there is no abode,79
Our abode is the true school [of Zen].
The true school is illusory like this,
Illusory existence equals emptiness of emptiness.
After his verse ended, he abruptly passed away.
Thien* Lão
[10b9] Zen Master Thiên Lão of Trùng Minh Temple on Mount Thiên Phúc80 in Tiên Du studied with Ða Bao of Kien* So' Temple in his early years and comprehended the essence of mind. Then he moved to Tù' So'n81 and planted his staff there. The influence of his Zen grew stronger and stronger, and students came
to him by the thousands. His temple became one of the most flourishing in the Buddhist community. During the years of the Thông Thuy* era (1034–1038), Lý Thái Tông often [11a] visited his temple.
Once Lý Thái Tông asked him: "How long have you been on this mountain, Master? " Thiên Lão said: "I only know the sun and the moon of today. Who knows about past springs and autumns? " The emperor asked: ''How do you pass the days? " Thiên Lão replied: "The green bamboos and yellow flowers are not external objects.
White clouds and bright moon reveal true nature. "82 The emperor said: "What does this mean? " Thiên Lão said: "If I say too much now, there will be little benefit later. " The emperor suddenly had some insight.
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Once Emperor Lý Thái Tông dispatched an envoy to bring Thiên Lão to court to ask for his advice, but Thiên Lão had already passed away. 83 The emperor deeply mourned his passing and personally composed verses expressing his grief. He sent an envoy to arrange for a vegetarian feast [in honor of Thiên Lão] and to pay his respects. They built a pyre, cremated the body, and collected his remains. They erected a stupa [for Thiên Lão's remains] outside the temple gate [at Trùng Minh]. The emperor had the temple enlarged and repaired, and assigned people to take care of the upkeep and supplies of the temple.
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Viên Chieu * (999–1090)
Seventh Generation: Seven Persons
[11a9] Zen Master Viên Chieu of Cát Tu'ò'ng Temple in the capital of Thang* Long hailed from Phúc Ðu'ò'ng84 in Long Ðàm Prefecture;85 his family name was Mai and his personal name Truc*. He was the son of the elder brother of Empress Lý Linh Cam*. 8 6 As a child he was very intelligent and studious.
When he heard that there was an elder adept in physiognomy at Mat* Nghiêm Temple in his home area, Viên Chiêu went to seek his advice. The elder looked him over thoroughly [11b] and said: "You have a karmic connection to the BuddhaDharma. If you leave home to become a monk you are sure to become a great Bodhisattva among humans. If not, it is difficult to guarantee how long you will live. " Viên Chiêu felt a sense of realization. He said farewell to his parents and received ordination from Dinh* Hu'o'ng on Mount Ba Tiêu. He served Ðinh Hu'o'ng for many years and investigated Zen studies. He always recited the Sutra* of Complete Enlightenment,87 and he was clear in the three methods of contemplation. 88
One night while Viên Chiêu was in deep concentration he saw the Bodhisattva Manjusri*89 cut open his stomach with a knife and wash out his guts. Then Mañjusri applied medicine to the wound. After this, what Viên Chiêu practiced in his mind seemed preordained to mesh [with Reality],90 and he had deep attainment in the samadhi* of words,91 expounding the Dharma most eloquently. Subsequently, he established a temple east of the capital and settled there—students came in droves.
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Once a monk asked Viên Chiêu: "What is the meaning of 'Buddha' and 'Sage'? " Viên Chiêu said: "At the autumn festival,9 2 chrysanthemums are blooming under the
hedge. In the pure air of spring orioles are singing in the branches. "93 The monk continued: "Thank you [for your answer], but I don't understand. Please instruct me again. " Viên Chiêu said: ''By day the sun shines, by night the moon is bright. "
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A monk asked: "I already grasped your true message, but how does the mystic mentality work? "9 4 Viên Chiêu said: "If you carry a full bowl of water without being careful and you slip, what's the use of being sorry? " The monk continued: "Thank you for your instruction, Teacher. " Viên
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Chieu * said: "Don't jump [12a] into the river and drown. You come in person but you sink yourself. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "Bodhidharma9 5 and Sakyamuni*9 6 are the supreme adepts. From ancient times until now who have succeeded to them as masters? "9 7 Viên Chiêu said: "Dark and light, the aspects of heaven, depend on sun and moon. Crooked and straight, the lines of earth become Yue and Huai. "98
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A monk asked: "What is the Great Path, the single road to the source? " Viên Chiêu said: "On high cliffs in the strong wind we know which plants are sturdy. When the
country is swept by rebellion we know which ministers are loyal. "9 9 <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "Where do all sentient beings come from and where do they go after they die? "100 Viên Chiêu said: "A blind turtle pierces a rock wall; a lame tortoise climbs a high mountain. "
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A monk asked: "The fresh green bamboos are all Thusness. What is the function of True Thusness? "101 Viên Chiêu said: "I offer this to you a thousand miles away, as I smile and hold a cup of tea. "102 The monk continued: "If so, what have I come here for in vain? ''103 Viên Chiêu said: "Who knew that on the way to the eastern mound104 one's hair would turn white? "
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A monk asked: "Dã Hiên's house is deep in the wilderness:105 Who would know to come knocking at its door in a free and easy way? " Viên Chiêu said: "The Golden Valley106 is deserted, and flowers and weeds grow wild—day and night cows and goats are free to enter it. " The monk continued: "Why is it like this? " Viên Chiêu said: "Those who are wealthy and of noble rank and arrogant to boot should know that richness collapses like a phantom tower. "107
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A monk asked: "The Dragon girl108 [12b] offered her jewel and attained Buddhahood. What would be the merit of a donor who gives many gifts? " Viên Chiêu said: "Cinnamon trees in the moonlight for ten thousand
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ages—they grow thick in [the light] of a single disc. " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'labor to no effect. '" Viên Chieu * said: "If we hang a mirror in the sky,109 we penetrate every place in the human realm. ''
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A monk asked: "To cross a river you must use a raft. 110 When you reach the shore, it is no longer needed. How is it when we do not cross? " Viên Chiêu said: "When the pond dries up, the fish are left on dry land, but they gain life for ten thousand years of springtime. " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'in order to attain the wondrous truth one must follow the stream'? "111 Viên Chiêu said: "I've heard that once Jing Ke112 left [for Qin], he never returned again. "
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A monk asked: "Gold and ore are mixed together: originally they are a single [complex of] matterenergy. I ask you, Teacher, please use your skillful methods and refine out the pure form. " Viên Chiêu said: "If you have never been the guest of the King of Qi, how could you know of the giant fish in the ocean? " The monk
continued: "What happens if gentleman Guo113 does not take the advice? " Viên Chiêu said: "If you want to have your wine to drink first, do not try to complicate matters by drawing feet on a snake. "114
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A monk asked: "The snake has died on the road. Please, Teacher, bring it back to life. "115 Viên Chiêu said: "Where are you from? " The monk said: "Originally I'm
from the mountains. " Viên Chiêu said: "Go back to your [13a] cliffside retreat right away and live in seclusion. Do not meet with Xu Zhen. "116 <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "The ocean store is a vast flood—we must not ask about it. What are the drops from the stream of Caoxi? "117 Viên Chiêu said: "Before the wind, under the pines, a cool rhythm. After the rain, on the road, soaked with mud. " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'it is no different from now'? "118 Viên Chiêu said: "Under the hedge, the autumn chrysanthemums. On the ends of the branches, orioles in the warm sun. "
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A monk asked: "It is clear in the mind's eye and bright in the form body, yet one can neither discriminate its inner truth nor see its characteristics.
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Why can't one see it? " 119 Viên Chieu* said: "The flowers in the garden are bright, the grass on the shore is sparse. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "When the season turns cold and the plants wither, what can we display? " Viên Chiêu said: "I'm glad you realize it yourself.
Isn't it something to rejoice in? " The monk said: "I'm fortunate to hear today's decisive instruction. From now on I'll avoid careless mistakes. " Viên Chiêu said: ''I've just lifted you out of the shallow water, but you turn back [and dive into] a bottomless pond. "
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A monk asked: "Even inside the citadel of nirvana it is still perilous. Is there anywhere that is not perilous? "120 Viên Chiêu said: "Build your nest on a curtain of flame;121 your grey hair is like reed flowers. " The monk continued: "When one is hard pressed, what good are these two bases? " Viên Chiêu [13b] said: "A real man goes along [with circumstances] with total abandon, and wanders free in the windy moonlight. "
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A monk asked: "They say that all sentient beings are Buddhas, but I'm not clear about this teaching. Please instruct me, Teacher. " Viên Chiêu said: "I urge you, Sir, to
devote yourself to farming. Don't imitate others and waste your energy waiting for a rabbit. "122 The monk went on: "I'm lucky to meet with your clear decisive explanation, Teacher. I won't seek from others ever again. " Viên Chiêu said: "What a pity that, having choked once, you sit here hungry but forget to eat. "
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A monk said: "Today here I see before me the precious jewel that has been hidden in a sack for many long years. "123 Viên Chiêu said: "I was waiting for the midautumn moon, but instead I get caught in clouds and rain. " The monk continued: "Though I hear your explanation, I'm not clear about the principle of it. " Viên Chiêu
said: "I laugh at the guy who held on to the bridge post and was drowned in midstream. "124 <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "What is the one Dharma? " Viên Chiêu said: "Even if you do not see spring birth and summer growth, you still meet with autumn ripening and winter
harvest. "125 The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'many people become Buddha'? " Viên Chiêu said: "Let Zu Long stop bustling around, because Xu Fu126 labored in vain in far away lands. "
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A monk asked: "What is the meaning of 'seeing inherent nature and becoming Buddha'? " Viên Chieu * said: "When spring comes the withered trees are adorned all over with flowers: the wind blows a thousand miles carrying their [14a] divine perfume. " The monk continued: ''I don't understand. Please instruct me again. Teacher. " Viên Chiêu said: "This eggfruit plant has been around for ten thousand years: its dense branches reach to the clouds. "127
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A monk said: "The mani jewel and the many colors are neither together nor apart. "128 Viên Chiêu said: "Spring flowers and butterflies—how many are fond of each other, how many are opposed? " The monk continued: "What does it mean by 'follow them and mix in'? " Viên Chiêu said: "If you do not have the eyes of the Indian monk,129 you labor in vain offering the jewel of Bian. "130
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A monk asked: "What is the enlightenment that meets the eye? "131 Viên Chiêu said: "How many times alarmed by the crooked branch, the bird [which was once shot by a bow]. How often he blows on his cold vegetable, the man [who was once burned by hot soup]. " The monk continued: "I don't understand. Please give me another metaphor. " Viên Chiêu said: "A deaf man listens to the sound of the lute and a blind man looks up at the crescent moon. "
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A monk asked: "Inherently what has form also has shadow. Is the shadow sometimes separate from the form? " Viên Chiêu said: "All rivers head for the East Ocean, where the myriad currents flow together. All stars bow to the North Star, where for a thousand ages all turn their hearts. "
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A monk asked: "What is transcending thousands of millions [of phrases] when you completely comprehend a single phrase? "132 Viên Chiêu said: "From afar he tucks
[the giant mountain] Taishan under his arm and steps across the North Sea. Then turns his face upward133 he throws his staff into the moon. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "Only this one is real: the rest are not. 134 [14b] What is real? " Viên Chiêu said: "The wind moves easily on the tip of the staff. Rain on the road makes mud. "
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A monk asked: "What does it mean, 'Do not bring up the wondrous treasury to the Tathagata *; do not ask the patriarchs for fire to keep the lamp lit'? " Viên Chieu* said: "Under autumn skies, the orioles sing; in a snowy landscape, red peonies bloom. "
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A monk asked: "What is the most wondrous phrase? " Viên Chiêu said: "One man stands in the corner, the rest of the guests drink without joy. "
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A monk asked: "I'm not asking135 about the great events of the past and the present; I only want to know the meaning of Bodhidharma especially coming from the
West. "136 Viên Chiêu said: "Some are with clever speech and enticing appearance;137 some are drilling turtle shell and striking tiles. " <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked: "When mind and phenomena are both forgotten, inherent nature is real. 138 What is real? " Viên Chiêu said: "The raindrops on the cliffside flowers are the tears of a goddess. 139 The wind hitting the bamboo in the courtyard is the sound of Bo Ya's lute. "140
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A monk asked: "What is the most wondrous phrase? " Viên Chiêu said: "While the stick is still caught in your throat, you won't live very happily. "141 The monk
continued: "With realization and cultivation the four kinds of illness are revealed;142 transcending them, is one able to be free from the cage of sensory experience? " Viên Chiêu said: "The mountain is high and huge: it is able to contain all things; the ocean is vast and deep: it is able to accommodate many rivers. "
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A monk asked: "Only Buddhas understand that. 143 [15a] What does 'that' mean? " Viên Chiêu said: "In a narrow lane, bamboos are thick; the wind blows, a tune
forms by itself. "144 The monk continued: "No need for ordinariness, no need for naturalness, no need for function, what are we supposed to do now? " Viên Chiêu said: "In the thick grass the swallows nest, in the vast ocean the whales hide. "
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A monk asked: "I have carried along the four elements since time immemorial, please show me the means to get out of cyclic existence. " Viên Chieu * said: "Among the animals in the world, the rhinoceros is most precious, it feeds on thorns and sleeps in the mud. " The monk continued: "Both attachment and renunciation lie within cyclic existence, what is it like when there is neither? "145 Viên Chiêu said: "The purple plant has always been distinguished in its color, it has uneven leaves but no flowers. "1 4 6
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A monk asked: "What does it mean by 'cutting of the route of language'? "147 Viên Chiêu said: "Following the wind the sound of the horn comes through the bamboos, the moon atop the mountain ridge comes over the wall. " The monk continued: "The Buddhas teach in order to transform beings. Awakening to their original intention is called transcending the world. What does 'original intention' mean? " Viên Chiêu said: "Spring weaves flowers like brocade, when autumn comes the leaves look like gold. "
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A monk asked: "What is the one direct path? " Viên Chiêu [15b] said: "Horses and carriages travel back and forth, dust flies morning and evening. " The monk continued: "When there is [a false duality of] subject and object false consciousness arises. How are we to eliminate both subject and object? " Viên Chiêu said: "When you are equal to the lush green towering pine, how can you still be worrying about heavy falling snow and frost? "
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A monk asked: "What is the relationship between the patriarch's intention and the meaning of the scriptural teaching? " Viên Chiêu said: "When my spirits are high I lean on my stick and follow the shortcut through the clouds, when I'm tired I let down the blinds and sleep on my bamboo bed. " The monk continued: "The patriarchs
transmit it to each other, what do they transmit? "148 Viên Chiêu said: "When you're hungry you should find something to eat, when you're cold you look for clothes. "1 4 9
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A monk asked: "Everyone rents a house, where does a leaking man stay? " Viên Chiêu said: "With the sun and the moon, it's hard to tell whether they are full or not. " The monk continued: "What is the one path of Caoxi? "150 Viên Chiêu said: "How pitiable the man who marked his boat,151 he was confused everywhere. "
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Viên Chieu * composed a work called Duoc* Su' Thap* Nhi* Nguyen* Van* [The Twelve Vows of the Medicine King]152 and presented it to the throne. Emperor
Lý Nhân Tông (r. 1071–1127)153 gave a copy to the envoy from the Song court, who sent it along to the Chinese Emperor Zhezong (r. 1086–1100). 154 Zhezong summoned the master of Xiangguo Temple [to interpret the text]. When he had read it, he joined his palms and bowed in homage, saying: "In the south a flesh and blood Bodhisattva has appeared in the world, and he is well able to expound the Dharma. 155 [16a] How could this poor monk add or subtract anything? " The Chinese emperor then had another copy made and returned the original. When the Chinese envoy returned [to Vietnam] and reported this, Lý Nhân Tông was very pleased with Viên Chiêu and rewarded him richly.
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In the ninth month of the sixth year, canh ngo*, of the Quang* Huu* era (1090),156 without any signs of illness, Viên Chiêu instructed his disciples [for the last time] saying: "The bones, joints, sinews and veins in this body of mine are a combination of the four elements157—all are impermanent. It is like a house that is about to collapse, when all the beams tumble down. I bid you all farewell. Now listen to my verse:
The body is like a wall—it crumbles to the ground,
All the worldly people are agitated—none is not distressed. If you comprehend that mind is empty and formless,158 Then you let form and emptiness,
the hidden and the manifest, follow each other in turn.
His verse finished, Viên Chiêu passed away sitting upright. He was ninetytwo years old and had been a monk for fiftysix years. His writings now in circulation include the Tán Viên Giác Kinh [Eulogy on the Complete Enlightenment Sutra*], Thâp Nhi Bo* Tát Hanh* Tu Chú'ng Dao* Tràng [Enlightenment Realized by the
Twelve Bodhisattva Practices], and Tham Do* Hien* Quyet* [Revelation of the Decisive Secret for Students] in one volume. 159 Cú'u Chi*
[16a10] Zen Master Cú'u Chi of Diên Linh Temple on Mount Long Doi*160 in An Lãng was a native of Chu Minh, Phù Ðàm. His family name was Ðàm. When young he studied both Confucian and Buddhist books161 and thoroughly comprehended them all.
One day as he was reading, [16b] he sighed and said: "Both Confucius and Mozi were attached to being. Both Zhuangzi and Laozi were attached to nonbeing. The conventional classics are not the teaching of liberation. Only the Buddhist teaching approves neither being nor nonbeing and completely comprehends birth and death. One must maintain discipline and advance energetically, and seek the seal of approval from enlightened teachers. " So he abandoned conventional studies and went to call on the Elder Dinh * Hu'o'ng of Cam* Ú'ng Temple on Mount Bà So'n to receive ordination.
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One day while he was asking for instruction, Ðinh Hu'o'ng asked him: "What is the ultimate truth? "162 Cú'u Chi* said: "I don't know. " Ðinh Hu'o'ng said: "I already gave you the ultimate truth. " As Cú'u Chi hesitated trying to think what to say, Ðinh Hu'o'ng said: "You've missed it. " At these words, Cú'u Chi discovered the gist [of the Buddhist message]. Accordingly, Ðinh Hu'o'ng named him Cú'u Chi [which means ''Investigating the Gist"].
Subsequently, Cú'u Chi went to Quang Minh Temple on Mount Tiên Du, where he practiced austerities163 for six years without leaving the mountain. His reputation as a teacher [nevertheless] reached the imperial court. Emperor Lý Thái Tông invited him to the capital several times, but Cú'u Chi did not come. The emperor paid three visits to his temple to inquire after him. The Grand Preceptor Lu'o'ng Van* Nham*164 also greatly respected Cú'u Chi.
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During the Long Thuy* Thái Bình era (1054–1059), Prime Minister Du'o'ng Dao* Gia built a splendid temple and invited Cú'u Chi to become abbot there. Cú'u Chi declined, but [eventually] he had no choice but to obey the summons. The day he left Mount Tiên Du [17a] he said to his disciples: "I will never return here again. " The birds and beasts that lived on the mountain cried with grief incessantly for three weeks.
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After three years in the capital, sometime during the Chu'o'ng Thánh Gia Khánh era (1059–1065), when he was about to depart from the world, Cú'u Chi called together his disciples and said: "All Buddhist teachings originally come from your own inherent nature. The true nature of all phenomena originally comes from your mind. Mind and phenomena are One Thusness: fundamentally there is nothing else. All the defilements that bind you are empty. Misdeeds and merits, right and wrong are all
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illusions. There is nothing but cause and effect. In the realm of karma, do not differentiate: if you do you will not find freedom. You see all phenomena, but without any objects of seeing. You know all phenomena, but without any objects of knowing. You know that all phenomena have dependent origination (pratityasamutpada *) as their basis. You see that all phenomena have true reality as their source. Even amidst defilement, you understand that the world is like a magical apparition. You clearly comprehend that the true identity of sentient beings is the One Reality—there is no other reality. You do not abandon the karmic realm: you use the proper skillful means to show the uncreated Dharma in the realm of the created, but without differentiating and without the marks of creation. [17b] This is because desire is ended, self is forgotten, and conceptual elaborations (prapañca) are abandoned. "
Then Cú'u Chi* spoke a verse:
Body and mind are fundamentally quiescent and still, But through the transformations of spiritual powers,
all forms are manifested.
Both created and uncreated phenomena come from this, In worlds countless as the grains of sand on the banks
of the Ganges,
Though they fill all space,
When contemplated one by one, they are formless. For a thousand ages this has been difficult to describe, But everywhere in every world it is always luminous
and clear. 165
Cú'u Chi's* body was cremated at noon the same day he died. His remains were collected and a stupa was built to house them.
Bao* Tính (? –1034)
Minh Tâm (? –1034)
[17b6] The two Zen Masters Bao Tính and Minh Tâm166 of Cam* Ú'ng Temple on Mount Bà So'n in Thiên Phúc Prefecture were both natives of Chu Minh. Bao Tính's family name was Nghiêm and Minh Tâm's was Pham*. They were friends when young and later became spiritual companions when they left home to become monks. In their early years, together with Zen Master Viên Chieu*, both of them served the Elder Dinh* Hu'o'ng and got the marrow [of his teaching]. Afterward, they carried with them his mindseal and traveled around teaching. They were leading
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figures in the Buddhist community. Viên Chieu * left behind many songs and poems lauding their lofty aspirations. These have been gathered together in Viên Chieu's* collected works167 and need not be recorded here.
The two masters devoted themselves to chanting the Lotus Sutra* for more than fifteen years without ever neglecting it. Every time they came to the chapter on the Medicine King,168 [18a] they would shed tears and tell each other: "This Bodhisattva has influenced his causal ground with many aeons of cultivating the Great Vehicle Mind, but he still generates great vigor and advances energetically without cherishing his own life. How much the more so should beginners169 like us, living in the Last Age170 of the Dharma, do so! If we are not utterly sincere like this, how can we hope to glimpse enlightenment, the true mind of the Great Vehicle? "
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In the fourth month of the seventh year of the Thiên Thành era (1034), when the two masters were about to immolate themselves,171 they were invited to the imperial court. They organized an assembly [at court] to explain the scriptures. Then together they entered into the "samadhi* of firelight"172 [and immolated themselves]. The
bones that remained were all transformed into the seven kinds of jewel. 173 Emperor Ly Thái Tông ordered that the relics be kept in Tru'ò'ng Thánh Temple and offerings be made to them. Because of their unique spiritual qualities, the emperor changed the name of the temple [where the relics were housed] to Nguyên Thông
Tu'* Tháp174 [which means the "StupaTemple of Nguyên Thông"]. Quang* Trí
[18a7] Zen Master Quang Trí of Quán Dinh* Temple on Mount Không Lo*175 hailed from the capital. His family named was Nhan; he was a brother of Chu'o'ng Phung*, the royal concubine. 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
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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
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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.
