{"id":20230,"date":"2018-07-03T10:24:28","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T17:24:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/monkeymind\/?p=20230"},"modified":"2018-07-03T11:00:50","modified_gmt":"2018-07-03T18:00:50","slug":"the-zen-master-zengetsus-pointers-on-a-life-worth-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/monkeymind\/2018\/07\/the-zen-master-zengetsus-pointers-on-a-life-worth-living.html","title":{"rendered":"Zen Master Zengetsu’s Pointers on a Life Worth Living"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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The following is a list of pointers on the way attributed to Zengetsu, described by Paul Reps & Nyogen Senzaki in their small early classic of Western Zen writings, 101 Zen Stories, (later compiled with other similarly slender volumes as Zen Flesh, Zen Bones),<\/a>\u00a0as a Chinese Zen master of the Tang Dynasty.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know anything at all about Zengetsu beyond this list and a poem collected in Zen Poems of China & Japan<\/a>, translated by Lucien Stryk & Takashi Ikemoto:<\/em><\/p>\n

Mind, mind, mind \u2014 above the Path.
\nHere on my mountain, gray hair down,
\nI cherish bamboo sprouts, brush carefully
\nBy pine twigs. Burning incense,
\nI open a book: mist over flagstones.
\nRolling the blind, I contemplate:
\nMoon in the pond. Of my old friends
\nHow many know the Way.<\/p>\n

So, pretty clearly, the old guy knows of which he speaks. <\/em><\/p>\n

And, just as it should be, I find his list both compelling and annoying here and there.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, as you read it, perhaps you\u2019ll find for yourself the points of congruence and disagreement. I would only add for you, if you haven\u2019t yet noticed, that in my own life I\u2019ve found those points of disagreement where the juice often resides.<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve made the finest of editorial adjustments to the text as presented by Reps & Senzaki.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Living in the world yet not forming attachments to the dust of the world is the way of a true Zen student.<\/p>\n

When witnessing the good action of another encourage yourself to follow that example. Hearing of the mistaken action of another, advise yourself not to emulate it.<\/p>\n

Even though alone in a dark room, be as if you were facing a noble guest. Express your feelings, but become no more expressive than your true nature.<\/p>\n

Poverty is your treasure. Never exchange it for an easy life.<\/p>\n

A person may appear a fool and yet not be one. Such a person may be carefully guarding hard won wisdom.<\/p>\n

Virtues are the fruit of self-discipline and do not drop from heaven of themselves as does rain or snow.<\/p>\n

Modesty is the foundation of all virtues. Let your neighbors discover you before you make yourself known to them.<\/p>\n

A noble heart never forces itself forward. Its words are as rare gems, seldom displayed and of great value.<\/p>\n

To a sincere student, every day is a fortunate day. Time passes but never lag behind. Neither glory nor shame can move the wise.<\/p>\n

Censure yourself, never another. Do not discuss right and wrong.<\/p>\n

Some things, though right, were considered wrong for generations. Since the value of righteousness may be recognized after centuries, there is no need to crave immediate appreciation.<\/p>\n

Live with cause and leave results to the great law of the universe. Pass each day in peaceful contemplation.<\/p>\n