And the Flowers Showered ~ 09
event type | discourse |
date & time | 8 Nov 1974 am |
location | Lao Tzu balcony, Poona |
language | English |
audio | Available, duration 1h 53min. Quality: good, but muffled sound (under revision). |
online audio | |
video | Not available |
online video | |
see also |
|
online text | find the PDF of this discourse |
shorttitle | FLOWRS09 |
- notes
- synopsis
- Reader of the sutras: Sw Ananda Teertha.
- The sutra
- Gensha complained to his followers one day: 'Other masters are always carrying on about the necessity of saving everyone -- but suppose you meet up with someone who is deaf, dumb and blind: he couldn't see your gestures, hear your preaching, or, for that matter, ask questions. Unable to save him, you'd prove yourself a worthless Buddhist.'
- Troubled by these words, one of Gensha's disciples went to consult the Master Ummon who, like Gensha, was a disciple of Seppo.
- 'Bow please,' said Ummon.
- The monk, though taken by surprise, obeyed the master's command -- then straightened up in expectation of having his query answered.
- But instead of an answer, he got a staff thrust at him. He leapt back.
- 'Well,' said ummon, 'you're not blind. Now approach.'
- The monk did as he was bidden. 'Good,' said ummon, 'you're not deaf either. Well, understand?'
- 'Understand what sir?' said the monk.
- 'Ah, you're not dumb either,' said ummon.
- On hearing these words the monk awoke as from a deep sleep.
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