Norman Fischer: Norman Fischer: 10-05-2013: Beyond Thinking: Dogen's Teachings on Zazen (Part 3b)

Summary: Episode Description: This recording starts with the next part of the famous exchange between Zen Masters Mazu and Nanyue. Mazu picks up a tile and starts to polish it on a rock. Mazu said, "What are you doing?" Nanyue said, "I am polishing a this tile to make a mirror." Mazu said, "How can you make a mirror by polishing a tile?" Nanyue responds, "How can you become a buddha by doing zazen?" Just as Dogen's commentary on this interaction between Mazu and Nanyue strips away the superficial surface meaning and sheds light on the profound deeper meaning, Roshi illuminates the subtleties of Dogen's writing in a clear and accessible manner. The session continues moving on to discuss the meaning of Nanyue's statement, "When driving a cart, if it stops moving, do you whip the cart or the ox?" This apparently simple statement is carefully deconstructed, each term analyzed, offering a meaning far beyond what one might garner from a casual reading. This part of the session concludes with Roshi having the group do a brief writing exercise regarding one's effort in their life. For Series Description and teacher BIO, please see Part 1. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Beyond Thinking: Dogen's Teachings on Zazen Series: All 8 Parts