Part II: Bhagavan, Huang Po and Self enquiry

[Guest guest]

Namaste All,

 

Practitioners of Bhagavan's approach to self-enquiry might enjoy this story

of Huang Po (a 9th century AD Chinese zen buddhist monk) and a disciple's

awakening through self-enquiry. Reading my previous "Part I: Bhagavan,

Huang Po and an ancient analogy" posting will provide information on the

"pearl on his own forehead" analogy.

 

 

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Prime Minister P'ei-Hsiu was garrisoned at Hsin-An during the T'ang Dynasty

(around 870 AD). One day he went to offer incense at the Tai-An Temple and

caught sight of a painting hanging on the wall.

 

He asked a monk: "Who is that person in the painting?"

 

The monk answered: "That is a real portrait of an eminent monk."

 

P'ei-Hsiu observed: "This real portrait is worth seeing, but where is the

eminent monk?"

 

The monk could not answer him, but just at that moment Ch'an Master

Huang-po arrived.

 

The Prime Minister said: "I accidentally have a question to ask you since

this virtuous monk here is reluctant to answer me. Can you please answer

for him?"

 

The master responded: "What is your question, please?" The Prime Minister

again asked his question, as before.

 

The master shouted loudly: "P'ei-Hsiu!"

 

The Prime Minister answered: "Yes!"

 

Then the master asked: "Where are you?"

 

The Prime Minister was suddenly enlightened, discovering the pearl on his

own forehead. Then he invited the master to come to his residence, and very

respectfully and piously took the Three Refuges with him, becoming the

master's disciple.

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Jai Bhagavan,

 

David M.