Te-Shan Carries His Bowls

Recorded March 23,  2024.

Roshi Rafe Martin completes his exploration of the Zen pilgrimage of Te-shan and the things he carried as he matures from youthful firebrand into refined and mature teacher.  In this teisho, Te-shan is carrying his bowls to the noon-day meal. Is he early? Is the meal late? What is "the last word"? Does he have it or doesn't he? Does anyone? And how about us -- what is the last word? Can we say? 

Selected references:

• The Gateless Barrier: The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan), Translated and with a Commentary by Robert Aitken - Case 28 "Lung-t'an (Ryutan) Blows Out a Candle" (also titled "Lung-t'an Renowned Near and Far")
• The Blue Cliff Record, Translated by Thomas Cleary and J.C. Cleary  - Case 4       "Te-shan Carries His Bundle" 
• The Gateless Barrier: The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan), Translated and with a Commentary by Robert Aitken - Case 13 "Te-shan: Bowls in Hand"
• Dogs, Trees, Beards and Other Wonders: Meditations on the Forty-eight Cases of the Wumenguan by Ken Tetsuzan Morgareidge

Photo credit: Standing Buddha/Seated Buddha, by Rafe Martin

• Books by Roshi Rafe Martin
• Talks on YouTube
• More information at endlesspathzen.org