More Wiggly Worms

Sesshin ended earlier today. Back on June 25th I posted some thoughts about the earthworm koan regarding living a divided life. Here at Wild Fox we’ve been focusing on the earthworm again. Its keeps wiggling back. Today I look at it more closely, in terms of our hearts.

Here it is followed by brief comments:

In the assembly of Chang-sha, Minister Chu asked, “An earthworm is cut in two pieces; the two pieces are both moving. In which piece do you think Buddha-nature exists?”

The earthworms here can be seen as our wiggling hearts – vast and giddy karmic consciousness – always cutting this way and that, cutting off this one and choosing that one. Even choosing the mind that doesn’t prefer. Moving, cutting.

The minister is asking, “Is this cut-away mind the Buddha-nature?”

The teacher said, “No delusions!”

Come on, teacher, answer the fellow straight way!

What’s that? Oh, you are? Thirty more years of practice.

The minister replied, “But how do you explain their movement?”

Wiggly delusion, wiggly delusion even chasing after no delusion. But it’s perfect, isn’t it, this wiggly mind? Please affirm my delusions, teacher.

The teacher said, “Wind and fire are not dispersed.”

Water and earthworm-made earth either. Trying to catch a greased earthworm is frustrating. Is there another way? From deep, calm mind, what way is pointed to by Chang-sha’s no delusion! and wind and fire are not dispersed?

(Note for Dogen addicts: See Dogen’s Extensive Record #509 and the last section of Buddha Nature – just for company in looking through your own vast and giddy karmic wiggles.)