Expert: Stuart Resnick - 12/2/2007

Question
QUESTION: What was the name of the disciple who smiled when Buddha raised the flower?

ANSWER: It was time for Buddha's sermon, and everyone in the crowd expected him to explain Truth. Instead, he just stood silently for a few minutes, then held up a flower. No one understood. Then Mahakashyapa smiled. Buddha said, "I have got the wondrous Dharma seal of the Supremely Enlightened Mind, the Gateless Gate to Formless Nirvana. I now transmit it to Mahakashyapa."

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry Stuart, I should have asked this with my original question, but can you tell me which sutra or discourse contains this story?

ANSWER: You'll sometimes hear this called the "Flower Sermon." This story is found in a collection of ancient Chinese koans called "Mumonkan" or "Gateless Gate." It's case #6 of this collection. See an English translation of Mumonkan at

http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/awakening101/mumonkan.html

or a translation along with the Chinese original at

http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/zen/mumonkan.htm

But much more important than that... you can forget about texts, and just consider what it is that Buddha was pointing to when he stood silently, then held up the flower.

Just now, what do you see? What do you hear? What are you doing? That's the Truth that's already appeared in this very moment. It's the One Pure and Clear Thing that Buddha was pointing to. It's not dependent on words and speech, not dependent on understanding sutras or discourses.

Rather, just wake up to this moment, perceive clearly, and respond compassionately. When you see a tree, only green; when you hear a dog, only "woof." When you're hungry, eat; when someone else is hungry, offer them food.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: And when Spring comes, does the grass grow by itself?

Answer
No. When Spring arrives, you must find every blade of grass, and pull on it just right, to make sure that it grows correctly. Please get plenty of rest this winter and build up your stregnth, because when Spring arrives, you've got lots of work to do.