Report 83

The body is the bodhi tree
The mind is like a bright mirror’s stand.
At all times we must strive to polish it
And must not let dust collect.
- Hongren

Bodhi originally has no tree
The bright mirror also has no stand
Fundamentally there is not a single thing
Where could dust arise?
-Shenxiu

I suggested this story because it reminded me of the Heart Sutra. At the first glance, one may get an impression that Hongren's view is being dismissed. Instead I think the 2 poems together point to experiencing 'dust', which coincides with a new way of understanding.

I appreciate comments from Bruce and Zen during the meeting yesterday regarding the mirror's stand, perhaps referring to practice being a 'support'. We continued along this line, discussing how the notion of 'beginner' can be double-edged [if not more] sword.