PZI Teacher Archives

Changsha Wandering in the Mountains (BCR36)

KOAN:

One day Changsha went for a walk in the mountains.
When he returned to the temple gate someone asked, “Where have you been?”
Changsha said, “Wandering about the hills. I went out following the scented grass and came back chasing the falling blossoms.”

—Blue Cliff Record, Case 36

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Dharma Theme March 22, 2023
23 Words
Audio May 7, 2021

Free & Easy Wandering Series: Following the Scented Grass

John Tarrant

John Tarrant begins with a wild Daoist story from the Zhuangzi, about a giant fish named Kun. The freedom is in your own breast and the koan path opens the way. Includes meditation segments, music from Michael Wilding, vows from Jordan McConnell & Amaryllis Fletcher, Cantor. PZI Zen Online. As recorded May 2, 2021.

73' 39"
Audio November 14, 2019
54' 45"
Video June 18, 2019

I Went Out Following the Scented Grass

Allison Atwill

Sensei Allison Atwill gives a teaching on an old teaching story, a koan, handed down from more than a thousand years ago in China. Changsha was a student of Nanchuan and he was a contemporary of many great teachers, Linji and Zhaozhou among them. It was the golden age of Zen Buddhism. Recorded June 29, 2012.

20' 52"
Video June 18, 2019

Death Poem

David Weinstein

Roshi David Weinstein continues with the koan for Summer sesshin, “Where have you been?” “I went out following the scented grass and came back chasing the falling blossoms.” June 26, 2012.

10' 11"
Video July 29, 2017

Stepping Through a Door

John Tarrant

Roshi John Tarrant presents on the koan, “Where have you been?” “I went out following the scented grass and came back chasing the falling blossoms.” Going on retreat is like stepping through a door. You never know what you will find on the other side of the door: scented grass, falling blossoms, or the vastness. June 28, 2012.

20' 2"
Video July 11, 2017

Where Have You Been?

John Tarrant

Opening night dharma talk Summer sesshin on the koan “Where have you been?” “Wandering about the hills. I went out following the scented grass and came back chasing the falling blossoms.” June 24, 2012.

50' 24"