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Zhaozhou's Idiot (BCR 57)
KOAN:
A student asked, “The Great Way is not difficult if you just don’t pick and choose. What is not picking and choosing?”
Zhaozhou said, “Above the heavens, below the heavens, I’m alone and honored.”
And the student says, “That’s still picking and choosing!”
And Zhaozhou says, “Idiot, where’s the picking and choosing?”
Note: That’s a quotation: When Buddha was born, immediately he pointed up and he pointed down, took seven steps, and said, “Above the heavens, below the heavens, I am alone and honored.”
Commentary: Yuanwu says, “Before you’ve seen through, it all seems like a silver mountain, like an iron cliff.”
—Blue Cliff Record Case 57 (transl. John Tarrant & Joan Sutherland)
Jays, Squirrels & Humans – Picking & Choosing Is Life
David Weinstein in Summer Sesshin, shares remarks on picking and choosing in practice and in life.
A Blue Cliff Record Journey of Not Picking & Choosing
You are a stowaway in a wild koan journey of picking & choosing, told by John Tarrant. He recounts the adventures, awakenings and conversations of the great teachers that were gathered at the Blue Cliff with Yuanwu.