Listen "1-7-24 / First Zen Precept / Koancommentator"
Episode Synopsis
r/zen is a reddit forum about Zen scholarship, study, and practice. Reddit Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/s/mO9j80BU2v Post Summary: ewk claims to have derived Zen precepts algorythmically, chaos ensues. 1st Zen Precept: No Nest, No Tracks Having no nest means not preferring some particular set of faith-based principles, not insisting on only one answer or formula, not clinging or attaching to any set of beliefs, values, or ideologies. Leaving no tracks means not giving people something to follow. Leaving no tracks means no method, no practice, no instruction-that-transmits. Zen Masters talk about leaving no tracks in order to remind people that Zen isn't about being a follower. In Wansong's book of Zen instruction, Book of Serenity, there is a reference to Zhaozhou's answers to the question of that dog having the Buddha nature 9 ; Zhaozhou says no, and then later yes. Wansong points out if you take either side you have a problem: "[Wansong's Instructive Commentary]: If you say a dog's buddha-nature surely exists, afterwards he said 'no'—if it surely does not exist, still previously he said 'yes'. And if you say that to say 'yes' or 'no' is just a temporary response spoken according to the situation, in each there is some reason. That is why it is said that someone with clear eyes has no nest." (Zen Master Wansong, 2005, Case 18) Zen Teaching: Wansong, for example Book of Serenity, Cleary trans. Post Cast Overview: (under construction) Zen Lineage: www.reddit.com/r/zensangha/wiki/getstarted
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