Blue Cliff Record 27

150
Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku, Biyan Lu) #27
Yunmen's "Golden Breeze"

Personnel

• YUNMEN Wenyan (Ummon Bunen, 864-949, 13th gen), disciple of Xuefeng
• An unnamed monk

Yuanwu's Introduction (Sato)

Ask one and ten are answered; raise one and three are clarified.
You loosen the falcon when you see the rabbit, and fan the fire according to the wind.
You do not grudge your eyebrows, but let's leave aside that fact for a moment.
How is it when entering the tiger's cave? I will try to cite an example, look!

Case (Sato)

A monk asked Yunmen, “How is it when the tree withers and the leaves fall?”
Yunmen answered, “Complete exposure of the golden [autumn] wind.”[1]

[1] Or "You embody the golden breeze" (Sekida); "The body is exposed to the autumn wind" (Cleary).

Xuedou's Verse (Sato, italics Cleary)

The question already contains the essence;
The answer is also likewise.

Since the question has the source,
the answer is also in the same place.

The three phrases should be made clear;
A single arrow flies through the void.

The three statements should be distinguished,
one arrow soars into the sky.

Over the great plain, chilly whirlwinds whistle and howl;
The endless heavens are covered with drizzling rain.

Over the great plains, cold winds wail;
in the endless sky, scattered showers drizzle.

Don't you see the long-sitting traveler of Shôrin, who will never return?

Haven't you seen the traveler at Shaolin,
sitting long, yet to return?

Quietly he lies on the grasses of Mt. Yûji.

Remaining quietly on Mount Bear Ears,
one gathering.

KOAN INDEX
Hotetsu's Verses on Koans