lerbook Chapter 266 Taking what one truly desires, emulating the will of Heaven
Chapter 266 Taking what one truly desires, emulating the will of Heaven
The witty exchange between Lü Qian and Zen Master Jiekong clearly expressed the Tao he had come to understand.
Zen Master Qingyuan Xingsi had three realms: the first realm is "seeing mountains as mountains and water as water"; the second realm is "seeing mountains not as mountains and water not as water"; and the third realm is "seeing mountains as mountains and water as water again".
Although these three realms sound convoluted, in Lü Qian's eyes they were nothing more than another kind of discussion about reality and illusion.
The first level is the level in which most people are situated, and the world as they see it. They focus on the outward appearance of things, their gaze lingering on the form of things.
For Lü Qian, a seeker of the Dao, his second realm was to go a step further, to explore the Dao and principles within things through their outward appearances, and thus understand the essence of all things.
Just like his attitude towards the Eight Extraordinary Techniques and their various lineages, he did not pursue the effectiveness of the techniques themselves, but tried to explore the profound principles hidden within them.
Parting the lotus leaves reveals the flowers; brushing away the red blossoms yields the lotus seeds.
This reflects Lü Qian's rigorous pursuit of the Dao and his desire to achieve a true state of being. But is this kind of truth truly genuine and without falsehood?
No, this is the truth as he sees it, and it is the truth that belongs to Lü Qian alone!
Everyone is different, and this difference is not only in outward appearance, but also in a difference from the inside out.
The eyes are the windows to the soul. Everyone's heart is different, so their level of understanding and perception of the world is naturally different as well.
Intuitively speaking, different people have different senses and understandings of the same thing.
Even if Lü Qian cultivates the [Fiery Eyes of Truth], he cannot guarantee that the Dao he perceives and comprehends is absolutely true and without falsehood; he can only guarantee its truth and without falsehood relative to himself.
Therefore, the second level, "seeing mountains not as mountains, and water not as water," is about breaking free from the world and all living beings, and realizing one's own true nature.
What then can be considered a truly illusory world, a truly illusory Dao?
This is the third realm. After seeing through the illusion and reality, one returns to the first realm, returning oneself to heaven and earth and all living beings, and emulating the will of heaven with one's own heart.
Everyone has their own insights and understandings, just like a split mirror, with each part reflecting a portion of the truth.
If all the mirrors were gathered together and the shattered images were combined, then the most complete and unambiguous truth would naturally be revealed.
When one's true nature emulates the will of Heaven, it naturally reflects the most authentic and true Dao within the heart of Heaven!
The Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism advocates the practice of meditation and claims to "transmit the Buddha's mind seal." Its aim is to awaken the inherent Buddha-nature in all beings, hence it is also known as the Buddha-mind school.
The Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Huineng, once wrote the "Bodhi Verse": "Bodhi is not a tree, nor is the bright mirror a stand. Originally there is nothing, so where can dust alight?"
Each person's inner world is both their true self and their own "mirror within."
This small mirror, reflected through human eyes, reveals the myriad splendors of the world. Through the sculpting and polishing of all things, the principles and truths intertwine on it, thus becoming the true self of each person.
This is also the true meaning behind Master Jiekong's recitation of the "Bodhi Verse" to Lü Qian. It was both an expression of admiration for Lü Qian's profound wisdom and a further question to Lü Qian on how to further refine and polish this small mirror, making it a mirror that is both true and without falsehood.
Lü Qian's answer was naturally an enlightenment gained through wisdom and understanding: follow one's own heart and emulate the will of Heaven.
Uphold the clarity and purity of your true self, like a small mirror, and strive to return to your innate nature, emulating the true way of heaven and earth.
This is precisely the true meaning of Su Dongpo's line in "Ode to the Red Cliff": "We are but mayflies in the vastness of heaven and earth, a mere grain of millet in the boundless ocean."
They entrust their insignificant selves to the vastness of heaven and earth, and in this way pursue the immensity and immortality of heaven and earth!
This is Lü Qian's answer, and also the method of Taoist cultivation: guarding one's original mind, emulating heaven and earth, pursuing the vast and boundless, while not losing one's own insignificance.
At the entrance of Lüjia Village, Zen Master Jiekong regained his previous calm and natural demeanor, and led the monk Baowen behind him into Lüjia Village under the guidance of Lü Xiao.
After seeing the two off, Lü Xiao glanced at Lü Qian, hesitated, and then turned to look at the road at the entrance of the village.
"Second Master, aren't you curious about the kind of koan I exchanged with Zen Master Jiekong?"
"I'm not curious, I don't want to hear it, and I don't know."
Lu Xiao looked straight ahead at the road, ignoring the boasting and ostentation in Lu Qian's words, and replied with three negatives in a calm tone.
The naming style of the Lü family has already said it all. His father, Lü Ci, is generally recognized as not being kind. So what about Lü Qian, who is most like him?
He watched Lü Qian, this little hedgehog, grow up, and accompanied his father, that old hedgehog, for a lifetime. How could he not guess the thorns hidden under the wool?
This kid is just like the old man in the family, or rather, this is what the Lü family should be like. He may seem naughty and mischievous, but his true nature is the sinister arrogance inherited in his bones.
Even though Lü Qian entered the Taoist sect and cultivated on Wudang Mountain for more than ten years, his inner self remained unchanged, and even became more pure.
His pursuit of Tao and cultivation of immortality allowed this little hedgehog to gain a thorough understanding of the Dao.
"Second Master, are you really not curious?"
"I'm not curious, I don't want to hear it, and I don't know."
Lü Xiao rejected Lü Qian's request to discuss the Dao again, and even took two steps to the side, distancing himself from Lü Qian.
Lu Xiao considered himself to be of average talent, just an ordinary person who had cultivated the Ruyi Jin for over eighty years. He had no interest in comparing himself with the younger generation, nor did he want to get caught up in internal strife.
The Ruyi Jin, cultivated over eighty years, was more than enough for him; nothing else should disturb his state of mind.
All he wants now is to outlive the old man in his family, and hopefully have a few more years to be the head of the household; he has no other ambitions.
Of course, given Lü Ci's cultivation level, it's possible that his son might be ahead of the other party.
"Ugh."
Thinking of this, Lü Xiao felt hopeless about the future. He sighed inwardly, but his face remained calm. After all, he had endured for decades and had long since come to terms with it.
"Alright, it seems Second Master is indeed quite steady."
Lu Qian nodded and stopped bothering Lu Xiao. After all, teasing an old man requires some kind of response, otherwise it would be boring.
His behavior showed no respect for his elders whatsoever. This was the superficial stubbornness of the Lü family, as well as the sinister arrogance inherited in their bones.
"Wow, that's got a wolfish vibe, this is definitely it."
Not far away, a loud, boisterous voice echoed through the mountain path, followed by a spirited old woman walking towards the entrance of Lüjia Village, surrounded by her entourage.
"Shihua'er, wait for me."
Behind the old lady's group, Wang Ai, who was quite plump and carrying a cane, walked briskly and caught up with her in no time.
"Grandpa, wait for me."
Wang Bing led his family in pursuit of Wang Ai, but they couldn't keep up with the pace of the centenarian.
"unlucky."
The old lady, Guan Shihua, spat and strode over to the two members of the Lü family. Pointing to Wang Ai, who was approaching from behind, she said, "Old woman, I've come to your Lü family for a banquet. Your Lü family has better take good care of me and not let any shady characters get close to me."
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Chapter Two!