The Teachings of Master Mazu
Master Mazu – Chan Master
He was born in 709 northwest of Chengdu in Sichuan. During his years as master, Mazu lived in Jiangxi, from which he took the name “Jiangxi Daoyi”.[4]
In the Transmission of the Lamp, compiled in 1004, Mazu is described as follows:
His appearance was remarkable. He strode along like a bull and glared about him like a tiger. If he stretched out his tongue, it reached up over his nose; on the soles of his feet were imprinted two circular marks.[5]
According to the Transmission of the Lamp, Mazu was a student of Nanyue Huairang (677-744) at Mount Heng in Hunan[6][7]
A story in the entry on Nanyue Huairang in the Transmission of the Lamp is regarded as Mazu’s enlightenment-account, though the text does not claim it as such.[8] An earlier and more primitive version of this story appears in the Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall which was transcribed in 952:
Reverend Ma was sitting in a spot, and Reverend Rang took a tile and sat on the rock facing him, rubbing it. Master Ma asked, “What are you doing?” Master [Huairang] said, “I’m rubbing the tile to make it a mirror.” Master Ma said, “How can you make a mirror by rubbing a tile?” Master [Huairang] said, “If I can’t make a mirror by rubbing a tile, how can you achieve buddhahood by sitting in meditation?” [9][a]
This story echoes the Vimalakirti Sutra and the Platform Sutra in downgrading purificative and gradualist practices instead of direct insight into Buddha-nature.[10]
From PZI Teachers in accord with Master Ma’s teachings:
Audio link: How Many Times Have I Gone There for You? with John Tarrant, Summer Sesshin 2020
Audio link: There you Are! with David Weinstein, Fall Sesshin 2020
Audio link: The Koan Raft with Jon Joseph, Fall Sesshin 2020
Audio link: Vials of Light with John Tarrant, Summer Sesshin 2020
Audio link: What is Your Response? with Michelle Riddle, June 2020
Text – Transcription link: The Method of Zen with John Tarrant
Text link: Layman Pang with Sarah Bender, May 20, 2020
Meditation link: 25 Minutes on The whole Purpose of Your Life with John Tarrant
Text link: All sessions Fall Sesshin 2020 – Gathering in the Valley of Our Time
Sample Koans from Master Mazu:
“The whole purpose of your life rests in the current matter,” &
“When you must go where you have not gone before, make a raft of your practice for others.”