Empty Hand Zen Center

The whole body is a mouth

Hanging in space

Not caring which way the wind blows

east, west, south or north

All day long it speaks

of Prajna Paramita for everyone

ting-ton, ting-ton, ting-tong 

One Wednesday, in our Introductory evening a few weeks ago, we briefly looked at this famous poem, entitled Windbell, by Dogen’s teacher, Rujing. Sensing that this bell is still ringing here, that this poem has more to tell us, I am picking up its teaching again.

Throughout Zen history, so many poetic word-pictures have been given to inspire us, to give us a clue about what the Buddha’s teaching actually means for us, now.  Today we have this bell, hanging like an open upside-down mouth.  I looked at a few translations, one says “The bell looks like a mouth, gaping.” This certainly gives us strong sense of the wide-openness, the receptivity. When we are completely surprised, completely clueless, we might say “my mouth fell open” – this is gaping, a kind of physical expression of not-knowing.  However, I have gravitated to this translation, “The whole body is a mouth hanging in space.”  I appreciate the reminder of whole-body-presence in our practice.  I also appreciate that it says “is” not “looks like”, and finally it is clearly out there, hanging in space. Not some internally contained little bell that rings in our heart, but out there – freely functioning in space.

And then the pivotal point – not caring from which direction the wind blows – north, south, east or west.  Not holding to preference, not sticking to agenda, not holding any gaining idea, not investing in any point of view, any belief –in short, no clinging. And also there is no aversion - no rejection out of fear, no pushing away with criticism, no turning away with dislike.  This wide mouthed bell simply continues to ring, to respond, to give expression to what is true which ever way the winds are swirling.   This is the realized life.  Winds can carry noxious odors, sweet perfume of lilacs, cold sleet and snow, howling hurricanes.  To be fundamentally OK with what we do not like, could not possibly like, is the teaching of this Windbell.   Taking rest in deep spacious mind is not dependent on conditions, on the direction of the wind blowing our way.   This is the lesson brought home to many of us recently by our dear Sangha Member, Craig King, as he was dying from brain cancer.  As his physical condition deteriorated, he began to manifest such presence, such love. With his one strong arm he hugged tightly, with his one good eye he made powerful eye-contact. As his speech failed, we “talked” eye to eye with deep meditative intimacy. He was shining forth for us all, ringing clearly, as he entered the time of transition and passing. There is no way to like the particular wind that rattled his family, his friends, his dharma brothers and sisters to the core. Yet somehow his years of practice allowed him to continue opening up his heart/mind wider and wider as his body became weaker and weaker.

Craig’s gift to us, just like this poem, offers a glimpse into the functioning of Prajna, our own intrinsic intuitive wisdom. The bell hosts the wind, takes in all winds, and responds directly.    Let’s be like that with each other here – empty bells hanging in space. Leaving the Zendo, let’s be this way with our life, whole body ringing, giving out our own intimate expression.

This is an abbreviated version of the dharma talk.  In order to listen to the full teisho please click here and scroll down to "Which Ever Way."    For the pdf version of the full dharma talk, please click here and scroll down to "Which Ever Way."