Master Xu Yun Meets a Laymen (1943)

[Shi Da Dao]

Master Yuan Huanxian (袁焕仙) - 1887-1966

Master Xu Yun was sat quietly meditating in the far-side of the small room – with his presence filling every inch of space which his old body did not occupy. His eyes were closed and yet he was fully ‘aware’ of his surroundings. Master Huan fell to the floor and touched his fore-head to the ground out of respect. Suddenly – Master Xu Yun was stood-up and helping Master Huan up from the ground! Master Xu Yun said ‘You are old, there is no reason for a layman such as yourself to go through all this effort on my count! Please take a more comfortable seat!’ Master Xu Yun then resumed his seated meditation and there then followed a refined silence with no talk of Buddhism, the ‘Dao’ (道) or ‘Way’, the ‘Dharma’ - and much less about ‘Ch’an’! After sometime Master Xu Yun opened his eyes and said: ‘You have come here in search of answers for others – but not in search of answers for yourself. This is a good thing as you come in search of answers for humanity and not simply for the limited concerns of isolated individuals.’ Master Huan was astonished with the clarity of this observation and could neither ‘agree’ nor ‘disagree’! Master Xu Yun signaled the end of the meeting and the assistant monk (旋 - Xuan) and Master Huan retreats out of the room. This was the end of the first meeting.

(Master Nan Narrative): Layman Yuan Huanxian Visits Old Master Xu Yun to Discuss the Ch’an Method (1943)!