PZI Teacher Archives

Bodhidharma: There, I Have Set Your Mind to Rest

Description

John Tarrant reads the koan story Bodhidharma Sets the Mind to Rest to close his Sunday program. February 27, 2022. 2 minutes.

Summary

Bodhidharma came to China by way of the sea and over the mountains. He came from India bearing tattoos, a red beard and blue eyes: a “barbarian.” He is the founder of Chan and Zen.

KOAN:

The student asked, “My mind is not at rest, I beg you please put it to rest.”

Bodhidharma said, “Bring me your mind and I will set it to rest.”

The student said, “I have searched for mind and cannot find it.”

Bodhidharma said, “There, I have put it to rest.”

—Gateless Gate, Case 41

Whenever you are unhappy, your heart is not at rest—it’s always the same problem. We are looking for a “thing” and instead we find spaciousness…

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