Crazy Blue Protesting Lady

New Flyers!

2011-11-09T15:31:00.001-08:00

Bad Robot Brain gave me a heads-up today that more flyers went up. I've grabbed a few brand-new, unnumbered flyers, and the whole series appears to be hanging at the moment, too. I'll be looking for any of the missing numbered flyers in the 2010 series, and hopefully more will continue to appear!

I've heard about letter-formatted documents appearing in the state Capitol building, but so far none of those have surfaced. Please do get in touch in the comments if you find anything that isn't already represented here...

taking a little break

2011-10-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

I still find the premise of this blog interesting, and I intend to ultimately post all of the CBPL flyers I have to make this blog into a sort of Art Brut document of one lady's crazy protests-in-blue. For the moment, though, I'm going to take a little break. I don't have the time to keep it up (record reviews and essays beckon), and frankly the readership is quite low. Feel free to complain in the comments--I could be motivated to keep it going, but probably on a less-regular schedule. And please do get some of the new flyers my way--I've heard about the new 2011 flyers, but I have yet to see one.

See you soon, though probably on a less-regular basis.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 76.

2011-10-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Ah, the eternal question: "Can men wear garlic in sock, undies, necklace, wreath on head and hold onto garlic inside gloves?"Clearly someone else will have to put the bread dough on our heads and faces...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

76 Danxia Possesses Eyes

Raised:

Danxia asked a monk, “From what place have you come?”

The monk said, “I come from down the mountain.”

Xia said, “Have you finished eating the cooked rice or not?”

The monk said, “I’ve finished eating the cooked rice.”

Xia said, “Did the person at the bottom who came with the cooked rice to give to you to eat also possess eyes?"

The monk was speechless.

Changqing asked Baofu, “As the person, who gives the cooked rice to eat, announces the benevolence of having a share, how does [that one] not possess eyes?”

Fu said, “The one who gives and the one who receives are both two blind fellows.”

Changqing said “Having come to use up all their opportunities, they still become blind don’t they?”

Fu said, “Are you saying we’re getting blind?”

Xuedou's ode says:

Using up the opportunities is not becoming blind.

By laying a hand on the ox’s head to eat the grass,

All of the 28 and the six founding masters,

Came to uphold the precious vessel and complete fording across errors.

Fording across the depths of errors,

There is no place to seek.

Heaven (Devas) above and people are in the same in between space sinking on the shore.

A workshop.

A wink.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 74.

2011-10-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

More along the lines of the last flyer, but this time detailing some actual phone calls and questions raised to the apparent folks behind the machinations of "subliminals."

There is one word handwritten into the document toward the bottom of the middle column, "workers," in case you're interested.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

74 Jinniu’s Bucket of Cooked Rice

Raised:

               Venerable Jinniu (Golden Ox), when every meal time arrived, by himself in the front of the monk’s hall with the bucket of cooked rice did a dance and, with guffaws of great laughter, said, “Mr. Bodhisattvas, come and eat the cooked rice.”

               Xuedou said, “Although [he acted] in this way, Jinniu was not being good hearted.”

               A monk asked Changqing, “The man of old said, ‘Mr. Bodhisattvas, come and eat the cooked rice.’ So what was his intended aim?”
               Qing said, “A great show causing celebration and praise of the meal.”

Xuedou’s ode says:

               Guffaws of laughter underneath the shadow of the white cloud,
               Holding on with both hands, he came handing it down and giving it to them.
               If [they] are children of the golden-haired lion,
               [They would] see the boastful swindle from three thousand li away.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 73.

2011-10-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

Things are getting increasingly, painfully paranoid.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

73 Master Ma's White and Black

[Yuanwu’s] Appended pointer says:

For someone who is a master explaining the Dharma, there is no explaining and there is no pointing. For someone who is one listening to the Dharma, there is no hearing and there is no attaining. Explaining is already without explaining and without pointing;

to strive thus is not explaining. Listening is already without hearing and without attaining; to strive thus is not listening. Accordingly, those without explaining and without listening, however are relatively few. Just so, now you various people listening to this mountain monk with an explanation of that other side, how do you make it alive to avoid attaining these mistakes? For those who possess the eye to pass through the checkpoints, a test is raised to examine it:

Raised:

A monk asked Grand Master Ma (Mazu, J. Baso), “Abandoning the four phrases and renouncing the 100 negations, I beg Master to directly point to the meaning of that First Certain Someone’s coming from the West.”

Master Ma said, “Today, I toiled and am weary and do not have the energy to explain it for you. Take the question to Zhizang, (J. Chizo) and go away.”

The monk asked Zhizang. Zang said, “Why don’t you ask the Venerable?”

The monk said, “The Venerable instructed me to come and ask.”

Zang said, “Today my head aches, and I don’t have the energy to explain it for you. Take the question to Elder Brother Hai and go away.

The monk asked Elder Brother Hai (J. Kai).

Hai said, “I arrived at this side, but still I don’t understand.”

The monk raised it to show to Grand Master Ma.

Master Ma said, “Zang’s head is white; Hai’s head is black.”

Xuedou's ode says:

“Zang’s head is white; Hai’s head is black.”

Clear-eyed patchrobed monks understand they don’t attain it.

The horse colt trampled and killed the people under heaven

Linji is not yet a thief snatching in the white.

“Abandoning the four phrases and renouncing the 100 negations”,

Between heaven above and the people, only I know.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 72.

2011-10-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

Here we get more detail on how "subliminals" might have an effect through phone and light poles, as well as a description of the anti-bird roosting pointy objects on many roofs as broadcast devices. And I was especially smitten with the description of Norway's lack of phones and a correlative increase in socialism.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

72 Yunyan’s “Have or Not?”

Raised:

Baizhang again asked Yunyan (J. Ungan), “If side by side you withdraw throat and lips, how do you speak to make it alive?”

Yan said, “Does the Venerable have or not?”

Zhang said, “I have lost my children and grandchildren.”

Xuedou's ode says:

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 71.

2011-10-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

Ah, paintball.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

71 Wufeng’s “You Too Should”

Raised:

               Baizhang again asked Wufeng (J. Goho), “If, side by side, you withdraw throat and lips, how do you speak to make it alive?”
               Feng said, “Venerable (Osho) you too should withdraw them side by side.”
               Zhang said, “In the place without a person, I put my hand to forehead and gaze into the distance for you.”

Xuedou's ode says:

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 69.

2011-10-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

A mighty random edition of Paradise on Earth here, even by the erratic standards of the series. Take back the Panama Canal! No cremations! Move the Yacht Club away from the Pentagon!

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

69. Nanquan Draws a Circle

Raised:

Nanquan, Guizong, and Magu together went to do customary respects to National Teacher Zhong. Stopping half way, Nanquan drew the image of one circle on top of the dirt and said, “If you’re able to say then we’ll leave.”

Guizong sat in the middle of the circle image. Magu then did the bow of a woman.

Quan said, “Is it like this? The standard is not to leave!”

Guizong said, “What is going in your mind?”

Doctor's office special flyer

2011-10-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in the last post, I was hoping I took a picture of what the front of the doctor's office building looked like with all of the flyers hanging, I don't have one. However, I do have one of the posters that were only seen at that building:

I love how "American" got added by hand! Anyway, if you can imagine a large building getting covered with 20 of these things every few days, over and over again for months, that's what the poor doctors had to deal with. Fortunately that seems to have stopped--but so have all of the mass flyer campaigns to my knowledge. I haven't seen any around town for at least six months. I'm glad to have this archive to remember what once was.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 67.

2011-10-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

I'm still missing a few in the series, so here we'll jump to number 67.

The story toward the beginning of this one is of particular interest to me. Here's what actually happened: the building hosting a doctors' office at 18th and O Streets is in the way of part of the Antelope Valley Project, and a new road is cutting into a significant portion of their parking area. The physicians office there re-opened elsewhere in town. The doctors, I am happy to report, are safe and sound, contrary to Crazy Blue Protesting Lady's tales of self-infliction.

This is close to my neighborhood, and I really liked being able to see a doctor without driving out to the 'burbs. Fortunately, one of the doctors decided to open a solo practice and stay in the building. And she, ironically, must be who Crazy Blue Protesting Lady is accusing of causing the rest of the doctors to "self-inflict." But here's where it gets especially funny: she's not Chinese. She's Vietnamese. And there is another nearby neighborhood with a large Vietnamese population that she continues to serve. And she continues to be my doctor, too. I'll take my chances with subliminals if it means I can see a doctor without having to drive to the edges of town!

By the way, before I knew about this series of flyers, apparently Crazy Blue Protesting Lady had been positively blanketing the front of this building at 18th and O with a special non-numbered flyer made just for the occasion. This apparently was happening throughout much of 2010. The flyers would be torn down and she would re-paper the building with them a day or two later, and this went back and forth dozens of times. There are copious amounts of tape residue left all over the front windows of the building. For our next post, I'll see if I can dig one of those out...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

67. The Mahasattva Expounds the Sutra

Raised:

               Emperor Liang Wu requested Mahasattva Fu to expound the Diamond Sutra. The Mahasattva then from the high seat, lifted and brought the lectern table down once, and then came down from the seat. Emperor Wu was dumbfounded.
               The Official of the Records asked, “Does Your Highness understand yet?”
               The Emperor said, “I don’t understand.”
               The Official of the Records said, “The Mahasattva has finished expounding the sutra.”

The Wrow Wrow variations

2011-10-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in the previous post, I was so amused by the "wrow wrow" concept that I felt compelled to make my own variations. We'll interrupt our usual series to explore them further.

First, there are a small set of unnumbered flyers posted by the Crazy Blue Protesting Lady. I haven't posted any of those yet, but here's one that also talks about the "wrow wrow" concept:

That one comes from Bork, who found it around the same time as I first noticed the large number of flyers being taped to posts and poles all along the streets of Lincoln.

There is a related one that I found myself that introduces the notion of lamp posts and subliminals. It also mentions a doctor's office issue that will be covered in more detail in the next edition of "Paradise on Earth Versus the Blue Cliff Record."

Anyway, I was so amused by all of this that I made all of the following flyer ideas, implementing the "wrow wrow" concept, general Chinese paranoia, and the notion that lamp posts are also hosting "subliminals." Enjoy:

And from these designs the masthead of this blog was born.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 64.

2011-10-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

The first section of this flyer includes one of my favorite concepts in the whole series: with the battery out of a cell phone, hold it to your ear and you might hear a "wrow wrow" in 2-second phases?

When I hold mine up to my ear, I just hear the ocean. I wonder what that means?

Anyway, I got so amused by the combination of Chinese paranoia and the "wrow wrow" of a battery-less phone that I ended up making some flyers of my own. I intended to post them around the downtown area myself, but I never did. The observer becoming the observed, etc. But instead maybe I'll post them as our next installment for your entertainment.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

64.  Zhaozhou's Sandals

Raised:

               Nanquan again raised the previous discussion to ask Zhaozhou. Zhou then took off his sandals to wear them on top of his head and went out.
               Nanquan said, “Sir, if you were there, you’d exactly be able to save the kitten.”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 63.

2011-10-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

BUILD A SIX FOOT THICK WALL!!!!1oneone1!

Or just put wheat sacks in front of your windows.

The Blue Cliff Record this time around gets pretty gory, too. I hope it's only subliminally gory.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

63.  Nanquan Chops a Cat

Raised:

               At Nanquan’s one day the east and west couple of halls were quarreling about a kitten.  Nanquan saw and proceeded to hold it up and said, “Be able to say it quickly and I won’t chop.”
               The assembly was without a response. Quan chopped the kitten into a couple of sections.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 62.

2011-09-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

"Are you a human?" What a great opening line--I haven't gotten to hear CBPL in person, but I can only imagine how well that must work...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

62. Yunmen's One Treasure

Raised:

Yunmen taught the assembly saying,

"'Inside of Heaven and Earth,

In the interstices of the universe,

Within there exists one treasure

Hidden in Form Mountain.'

Pick up the lantern and face towards the inner Buddha Hall, the triple gate will come on the top of the lantern."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 61.

2011-09-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Lots of great stuff here, but the last line is easily my favorite.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

61 Fengxue's One Dust

Raised:

Fengxue handed down words saying, “If the one dust is established the home country prospers. If the one dust is not established, the home country is mournfully lost.”
Xuedou picked up the staff and said, “Still, patch-robed monks do you have the same birth and the same death?”

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

The people in ancient accord with the teaching do not unfurrow the eyebrows
They just plan on the home country establishing a strong foundation.
Scheming ministers and fierce generals, now where are they?
For ten thousand miles the clear wind and only oneself knows.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 60.

2011-09-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Here we find a fascinating birth control program for Africa. Even if these techniques worked, do you suppose a bunch of people who don't even have food happen to have "kitchen plastic sheets" laying around to make into improvised prophylactics? Yunmen's staff, indeed!

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

60 Yunmen’s Staff

Raised:

Yunmen used the staff to instruct the assembly and said, “The staff changes and becomes a dragon. However, it swallows Heaven and Earth completely! Mountains, rivers, and the great earth—from where are they able to come?”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 59.

2011-09-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

Tiny crawling cubes!

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

59 Zhaozhou Quotes To the End

Raised:

A monk asked Zhaozhou, “’The Far-reaching Way is without difficulty, only rejecting picking and choosing.’ ‘Just when there is language there is picking and choosing.’ So what is used for people, Venerable?”
Zhou said “Why don’t you quote these words to the end?”
The monk said, “I only recall up to this part.”
Zhou said, “Only this, ‘The Far-reaching Way is without difficulty, only rejecting picking and choosing.’”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 58.

2011-09-22T07:02:00.000-07:00

I'm no medical expert, but I do have some knowledge of the "sulpha" class of medications CPBL advocates for here (doctors usually refer to them as "sulfa"). Many folks are highly allergic to them, and I'm one of them. Many solutions introduce more problems...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

58 Zhaozhou’s Slice of Carelessness

Raised:

A monk asked Zhaozhou, “’The Far-reaching Way is without difficulty, only rejecting picking and choosing.’ For people of these times, is this a hackneyed phrase run into the ground or not?
Zhao said, “I previously had a person ask me, and frankly I gained five years and a slice of carelessness did not befall.”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 56.

2011-09-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

I'm not totally psyched with the Obama administration, but...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

56 Qinshan Shoots an Arrow

Raised:

Zen traveler Liang asked Qinshan, “So what about the time when one arrowhead destroys three checkpoints?”

Shan said, “To see it, liberate and produce the host within the checkpoints.”

Liang said, “Knowing in this way, then to pass across one must transform.”

Shan said, “What time is there for further waiting?”

Liang said, “A well released arrow does not show the place it is at.” Then he exited.

Shan said, “For the time being, come on instructor (acarya).”

Liang turned back his head.

Shan held and stopped him and said, “As it is for the time being, cease with the ’One arrowhead destroys three checkpoints.’ Test it with Qinshan (i.e., me): shoot an arrow and see.”

While Liang was deciding what to discuss, Shan hit seven times with a stick and said, “We’ll wait for 30 years further with this fellow’s doubt.”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 55.

2011-09-18T06:50:00.000-07:00

Paintball assassinations?

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

55  Daowu Doesn’t Say

Raised:

Daowu and Jianyuan arived to share condolences with one family.
Yuan patted the coffin and said, “Is alive the mistaken view or dead the mistaken view?”
Wu said “Either alive don’t say, or dead don’t say.”
Yuan said, “Why don’t say?”
Wu said, “Don’t say, don’t say.”

On the road in the middle of the return trip, Yuan said, “Venerable, be straightforward with me and begin to say. If Wu doesn’t say, then I’ll hit the venerable and go away too.
Wu said, “If you hit, of course I’ll allow the hit. To say, of course, don’t say.”
Yuan then hit.

Later Daowu moved into transformation (i.e., he died).   Yuan went to Shishuang and brought up the previous conversation.  Shuang said, “Either alive don’t say, or dead don’t say.”
Yuan said, “Why don’t say?”
Shuang said, “Don’t say. Don’t say.”
As these words fell, Yuan had insight.

One day, Yuan went up to the dharma hall with a shovel. and from the east [he] went across to the west, and from the west [he] went across to the east.
Shuang said, “Wat are you doing?”
Yuan said, “[I’m] seeking [our] prior master’s spirit-bone relics.
Shuang said, “Flooding waves vast and unbounded, the white billows overflow the sky—[you’re] seeking what spirit-bone relics of [our] prior master?”
Xuedou’s attached words said, “Blue skies, blue skies.”
Yuan said, “A just right show of power”
Tai Yuan Fu said, “It seems the prior master’s spirit-bone relics are present.”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 54.

2011-09-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

"Everybody likes a lawyer--even Chinese!"

So many walls, so little time.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

54 Yunmen’s Both Hands

Raised:

               Yunmen asked a monk, “What place did you leave nearby?"
               The monk said, “Xichan.”
               Men said, “What words and phrases does Xichan have recently?”
               The monk stretched out both hands
               Men hit with one slap.
               The monk said, “I’m beginning to speak.”
               However, Men stretched out both hands.
               The monk was speechless.
               Then Men hit.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 53.

2011-09-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

Many previous themes collide here in new and uncomfortable ways...I don't even have enough room for all of the tags appropriate for this one.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

53 Great Master Twists a Nose

Raised:

Great Master Ma and Baizhang were walking to a rest stop. Seeing young wild ducks passing in flight, Great Master said, “What’s that?”

Zhang said, “Young wild ducks.”

Great Master said, “To what place are they going away?”

Zhang said, “They passed in flight and are gone away.”

Great Master proceeded to twist the tip of Baizhang’s nose.

Zhang did suffer the pain and cried out.

Great Master said, “ How have they already flown and gone away?”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 52.

2011-09-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

A varied garden of paranoia here--but I do agree that the official death of the Fairness Doctrine, which has happened since this flyer would've been circulated, is a real drag.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

52 Zhaozhou’s Stone Bridge

Raised:

A Monk asked Zhaozhou, “For a long time, [I’ve heard] the report of Zhaozhou’s stone elevated-bridge. [I’ve] arrived only to see a rough bridge. [fn52 ]”
Zhou said, “You only see the rough bridge. For the time being you do not see the stone elevated-bridge.”
The monk said, “So what is the stone elevated-bridge?”
Zhou said, “It ferries across donkeys; it ferries across horses, the bridge.”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 51.

2011-09-10T06:35:00.001-07:00

I've heard that Crazy Blue Protesting Lady might have fallen on hard times, and is trying to find a place to crash. I do hope that she's okay. Just to clarify the nature of this blog project, I'm interested in the actual content of the flyer series as a body of work--for me, it's a fascinating paranoia/Art Brut piece. I find the juxtaposition of the increasingly weird content with the fairly moderate and coherent writing style irresistible. And I wonder if this is the work of one person, or if the "Happiness Schools" organization in Iowa has something to do with them. At any rate, I hope the author(s) are doing well, however they might define wellness.

Back to edition 51: "subliminals" continue to be discussed in greater detail. Now they're coming through digital TV and the internet. And their potential danger is briefly mentioned: "self-infliction."

I hope the folks who start building the wall on the West Coast stay away from open flames, considering all of the hairspray and insect repellent wafting around!

I do find myself in whole-hearted agreement with one paragraph of this flyer, though presumably for slightly different reasons: "Persons with advancements in technology need to consider advancements in society." When society cannot advance then let's return to what is better for humans." I'm exploring a variation of that notion toward its application to creative pursuits on my main blog, and hope to have a new post in that series in the next day or two.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

51 Xuefeng's What?

Raised:

At the time that Xuefeng was dwelling at a hermitage, there was a pair of monks who came to pay the customary respects. Feng saw them come and used a hand to support himself on the hermitage door. Letting go, he personally came forward and said, “Is what?”

The monks likewise said, “Is what?”

Feng hung his head and returned to the hermitage.

The monks later went to Yantou. Tou asked, “From what place have you come?”

The monks said, “We’ve come from south of the mountain range (alt. the southern mountain range).”

Tou said, “You monks went to Xuefeng?”

The monks said, “We monks went.”

Tou said, “What did you have for words and phrases?

The monks raised the preceding discussion.

Tou said, “What did he say?”

The monks said, “He was speechless. He hung his head and returned to the hermitage.”

Tou said, “Too bad. I regard this as my doing in the first place. I regret not saying to him the final after phrase. If I had said it to him, how the people under heaven could not deal with Old Xue.”

When the end of summer arrived, the monks repeated the words they had raised before and begged for augmentation.

Tou said, “Why didn’t you ask beforehand?”

The monks said, “We had not the confidence to permit it easily.”

Tou said, “Even though Xuefeng and I are born in the same line, he and I do not die in the same line. One should know the final phrase afterwards, only this is.”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 50.

2011-09-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

I must admit that I like the bike trail idea. But maybe that's just the subliminals talking.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

50. Yunmen's Bowl and Bucket

Raised:

A monk asked Yunmen, "So what is the samadhi of all the dusts?"

Men said, "Cooked rice in the bowl, water in the bucket."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 49.

2011-09-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Chinese subliminals discussed in a little more detail: toys with "subliminals" and flying devices! Use insect repellent, of course!

If a person really tried to carry/use all of these things at once, imagine the complication--and the smell.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

49.  Sansheng's Golden Fish Scales

Raised:

               Sansheng asked Xuefeng, "[If] the golden fish scales that pass through the net are not investigated, [then] what is used for food?"
               Feng said, "Wait until you come out of the net, then [I'll] speak to you."
               Sheng said, "A Learned and Virtuous One of fifteen hundred people and [you] still don't know the 'head of the word' (huatou). [fn49 ] "
               Feng said, "[I'm] an old monk in residence managing numerous affairs."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 48.

2011-09-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

The full CBPL concept of "subliminals" still hasn't been full explained in these, but she starts to allude to it in the "Americans Ask" section here...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

48. Frying Tea at Zhaoqing

Raised:

Great Superintendent Wang entered Zhaoqing (lit. Incur-blessings) as tea was frying. At the time Upper-seat Lang was together with Mingzhao and held the long-handle pan. Lang flipped over the long-handle pan and expelled the tea.

The Great Superintendent saw and asked the Upper-seat, “What is under the tea stove?”

Lang said, “The spirit being holds up the stove in both hands.”

The Great Superintendent said, “Since the spirit being is already holding up the stove in both hands, why did you flip over the long-handle pan and expel the tea?”

Lang said, “A government official of 1000 days loses in one morning.”

The Great Superintendent shook his sleeves then exited.

Mingzhao said, “Upper-seat Lang, you have yet eaten Zhaoqing’s cooked rice, yet you go to the other side of the river to strike wild charcoal [fn48].”

Lang said, “Venerable, how do you make it alive?”

Zhao said, “The non-human gained it’s advantage.”

Xuedou said, “At that time however, one should have stepped on and toppled the tea stove.”

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 47.

2011-09-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

My favorite part of this one is how Christians and Jews are responsible for every medical advancement, yet most of the alternative healing suggestions CBPL makes are variations on ancient Chinese healing practices...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

47. Yunmen's Not Harvested

Raised:

A monk asked Yunmen, "So what is the Dharmakaya?"
Men said, "The six are not harvested."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 46.

2011-09-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

I wonder where CPBL found her data on 3rd graders flunking out of school in Spain...this is the 2nd or 3rd time she's made reference to that notion so far.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

46. Jingqing's Rain Drops

Raised:

Jingqing asked a monk, "What is the sound outside he door?"

The monk said, "The sound of rain drops."

Qing said, "The multitude of beings are topsy-turvey losing themselves chasing objects."

The monk said, "Venerable how do you make it alive?"

Qing said, "Drenching does not lose self."

The monk said, "So what is the intended meaning of 'Drenching does not lose self'?"

Qing said, "Even being able to leave the body is easy. Going along with the Path of releasing form is difficult. Drenching."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 45.

2011-08-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

It looks like CBPL has solved economic and cultural problems for native Americans! How kind of her, indeed. And now the Russians have moved from modifying and expertly re-binding our law books to quietly taking away our "smart drugs." Very sneaky!

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

45. Zhaozhou's Cotton Jacket

Raised:

A monk asked Zhaozhou, "The 10,000 things return (as their origin point) to the one. To what place does the one return?"
Zhou said, "I was at Qing Province and made one piece of clothing: a cotton jacket weighing 7 pounds."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 44.

2011-08-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

Here we jump from 40 to 44. Unfortunately, I'm missing some of these documents. Again, dear readers, if you come upon any of these around town, please get in touch, and I'll add them to the blog.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

44 Heshan Beats the Drum

Raised:

Heshan handed down words saying, "Rote study is to hear of the meaning. Exhaustive study is near to the meaning. To cross over these two things is indeed genuine crossing over."

A monk came out and asked, "So, what is genuine crossing over?"

Shan said, "Being free to beat the drum."

He again asked, "So, what is genuine truth?"

Shan said, "Being free to beat the drum."

He again asked, "As it is heart-mind and as it is Buddha, as it is I do not question. So, what is neither heart-mind nor Buddha?"

Shan said, "Being free to beat the drum."

He again asked, "Turning to the arrival of the superior person, at that time, so, what is received?"

Shan said, "Being free to beat the drum."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 40.

2011-08-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

I was sort of mostly with this one until we get to "right to own car."

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

40.  Nanquan's Peony

Raised:

               The high official Lu and Nanquan were talking and paused.
               Lu said  "Dharma Master Zhao says, 'Heaven, Earth, and I are the same root. The 10,000 things and I are one body.'  Ha, how strange"
               Nanquan pointed to a flower in front of the hall. He called to the high official and said, "Nowadays people see this single flower as if it looks like an appearance in a dream."

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

Hearing, seeing, feeling, and knowing are not each separate.
Mountains and rivers cannot be observed in the middle of a mirror.
When the moon in the frosty heaven sets in the middle of the night,
Who shares the shining cold reflection in the clear and still deep pool?

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 39.

2011-08-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

39. Yunmen's Hedge

Raised:

A monk asked Yunmen, "So what is the pure Dharmakaya?

Men said, "A hedge in bloom."

The monk said, "Then in this way, when the season has gone what is it like?"

Men said, "A lion with golden fur."

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

"A hedge in bloom,"

Don't be stupid:

The points are on the scale --- not on the pan.

"Then in this way…"

Extremely clueless

"A lion with golden fur," great family, observe.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 38.

2011-08-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Russians return to stick extra pages into our law books!

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

38. Fengxue's Iron Ox

Raised:

               Fengxue, when at the government office of Ying province, ascended the hall and said, "The ancestral masters' imprint on the mind is an appearance resembling the function of the arrival of the iron ox.  If it leaves, then the imprint remains.  If it remains, then the imprint is ruined.  As it is just so, if it does not leave and does not remain, is imprinting then correct, or is not imprinting then correct?"
               At that time, there was an old timer Lupi who came forward and asked, "Someone first class having the function of the arrival of the iron ox begs the teacher do not hang onto imprints (alt. do not hand over an imprint)."
               Xue said. "In the habit of fishing for whales and giant salamanders immersed in the vast clear and still waters, yet alas, the frogs are strolling and rolling over in the muddy sand."
               Pi stood still pondering.
               Xue gave a shout and said, "Old Timer, why don't you speak further?"
               As Pi was deciding how to discuss it, Xue hit him once with the whisk.
               Xue said, "Can you go back and remember what you were able to say at first?  Try to raise it and see."
               As Pi was deciding to open his mouth to speak, Xue again hit him once with the whisk.
               The magistrate said, "The Buddha Dharma and Dharma of Kings are one kind."
               Xue said, "What principle of the Way do you see in particular?"
               The magistrate said, "One ought to be decisive. Not being decisive goes backward and invites this disorder."
               Xue then descended from the seat.

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

Getting to catch Lupi sitting astride the iron ox,
The spear and armor of the Three Profundities have not been frivolously pledged.
The citadel of the King of Chu trespasses towards the water of the lineage.
The shout has come down ordering to withdraw and reverse the flow.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 37.

2011-08-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

37. Panshan Without Things

Raised:

Panshan appended words saying, "The three realms are without things. Where is there to seek mind?"

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

The three realms are without things.

Where is there to seek mind?

White clouds become a canopy.

The flowing spring makes a harp.

One song, two songs, there is no human comprehension.

After the rain, in the dark pool the autumn water is deep.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 36.

2011-08-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Wow.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

36.  Changsha Hiking on the Mountain

Raised:

               Changsha one day returned from hiking on the mountain and came to the Leader at the gate.
               The Leader-Seat asked, "Venerable, what places have you been going to and coming from?"
               Sha said, "I'm coming from hiking on the mountain."
               The Leader-Seat said, "You arrived, where did you come from?"
               Sha said, "In the beginning I left following the fragrant grasses; and then I returned chasing the falling blossoms."
               The Seat said, "That is very much like the meaning of Spring."
               Sha said, "It even excels the Autumn dew drops on the lotus."
               Xuedou's attached words said, "Thank you for the words of reply."

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

The great earth is broken into fine dust.
Whose eyes are not opened?
"In the beginning I left following the fragrant grasses;
and then I returned chasing the falling blossoms."
A feeble crane raises up a cold tree.
A wild ape howls in an ancient tower.
The infinite meaning of Changsha.
Bah!

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 35.

2011-08-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

More health care ideas, with some random homophobia thrown in:

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

35. Manjusri's Three Threes

Raised:

Manjusri (Wenshu) asked Wuzhu, "What place have you departed from recently?"

Wuzhu said, "The region of the South."

Jusri said, "So how is the Buddha Dharma kept alive in the region of the South?"

Zhu said, "Recently, few of the mendicants of the Dharma respect moral discipline and the rules." [fn35 ]

Jusri said, "How many assemblies?"

Zhu said, "Perhaps three hundred, perhaps five hundred."

Wuzhu asked Manjusri, "So how is it kept alive in this space?"

Jusri said, "The ordinary and sacred reside together, dragons and snakes mingle."

Zhu said, "How many assemblies?"

Jusri said, "Three threes [i.e., nine] in front; three threes in back." (alt. "Previously nine, afterwards nine." [fn35]

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

A thousand peaks coil and bend, thus the color blue indigo.

Who says Manjusri was chatting in response?

He was able to laugh, "How many assemblies at [Mt.] Qingliang?"

The three threes in front take part in the three threes in back.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 34.

2011-08-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

No columns this round, and apparently it's random civic education time...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

34.  Yangshan Hiking on the Mountain

Raised:

               Yangshan asked a monk, "What place did you come from recently?”
               The monk said, "Mt.  Lu."
               Shan said, "At that time did you roam on the Five Elders Peak [at Mt. Lu]?"
               The monk said, "At that time I didn't go there."
               Shan said, "At that time the Preceptor [fn34 ] did not hike on the mountain."
               [Later,] Yunmen said, "As these words were all for the cause of compassion, they have fallen into chatting in the grass."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 33.

2011-08-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

I didn't see the last line coming on this one! If only I could edit these scans to add some random italics...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

33. Zifu's One Circle

Raised:

The high official Chencao called on Zifu.

Fu saw him coming then drew the appearance of one circle.

Cao said, "Your disciple comes in this way, before is or is not manifests plainly, why still more in this situation do you draw the appearance of one circle?

Fu then shut and withdrew behind the door of his "ten-foot-square" (i.e., the abbot's room).

Xuedou said, "Chencao only possessed the one single eye."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 32.

2011-08-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

I just noticed this is another with "make copies" posted at the bottom. What's even more interesting is the other footnote...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

32. Linji's Great Meaning

Raised:

Upper-Seat Ding asked Linji, "So, what is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?"
Ji got down from the meditation (Zen) bench and seized and held him and gave a single slap, then held up his open palms.
Ding stood motionless.
A monk nearby said, "Upper-Seat Ding, why don't you bow ceremonially?"
Ding just then bowed ceremonially and suddenly had a great awakening.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 31.

2011-08-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

I think you'll agree that this one is particularly interesting. Arguably it's a turning point in the quasi-narrative, after which "do no harm" and "kindness schools" thoughts start turning toward xenophobic paranoia more explicitly...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

31. Magu Shook The Ring-Staff

Raised:

Magu holding his ring-staff [fn31 ] arrived at Zhangjing and went around the meditation bench three full circles, shook the ring-staff once and next stood there stately.

Jing said, "Correct, correct."

Xuedou attached words saying, "Mistaken."

Magu in addition arrived at Nanquan and went around the meditation bench three full circles, shook the ring-staff once, and next stood there stately.

Quan said, "Incorrect, incorrect."

Xuedou attached words saying, "Mistaken."

Magu, rich in opportunity, said, "Zhangjing said, 'Correct', Venerable, why did you say, 'Incorrect'?"

Quan said, "Zhangjing immediately was correct; you were incorrect. Here is a strong wind turning about in place, in the end it is defeated and destroyed."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 30.

2011-08-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

More health care ideas, and then suddenly: let's go to Israel?

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

30. Zhaozhou's Big Heads

Raised:

A monk asked Zhaozhou, "I have heard the Venerable has intimately seen Nanquan; do you deny it?"
Zhou said. "The Zhou township produces big turnip heads."

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

The Zhou township produces big turnips.
The patchrobed monks under heaven grasp at principles
and only know the past self and the current self.
They struggle to distinguish the white swans and the black crows.
Robber! Robber!
The nostrils of the patchrobed monks have already gotten pinched.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 29.

2011-08-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

29. Dasui's Aeon Fire

Raised:

A monk asked Dasui, "In the void of the Aeon Fire, most certainly the great many thousands are altogether destroyed, but I have not yet discerned if this one is destroyed or not destroyed?"

Sui said, "Destroyed."

The monk said, "In this way then, it follows the other is gone too."

Sui said, "It follows the other is gone."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 28.

2011-08-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

28. Nanquan's Fundamental Dharma

Raised:

            Nanquan visited Venerable Baizhang Neipan.  Zhang asked, "All sages accord with the superior, still is there a fundamental Dharma that they have not spoken for people?"
            Quan said, "There is."
            Zhang said, "How do you make it alive: 'the fundamental Dharma that is not spoken for people'?"
            Quan said, "It is not Heart-Mind; it is not Buddha; it is not things."
            Zhang said, "You have spoken too."
            Quan said, "I [fn28 ] am only like this.  Venerable, how do you make it come alive?"
            Zhang said, "I actually am not very good at knowledge, and I struggle to know if there is speaking or there is not speaking."
            Quan said. "I [fn28] have not learned this."
            Zhang said, "Having spoken too, I am excessive for you."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 27.

2011-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Love the idea of clay-mediated ergot here...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

27. Yunmen's Golden Wind

Raised:

A monk asked Yunmen, "What is it like in the season when the tree withers and the leaves fall?"

Yunmen said, "The body reveals the golden wind."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 26.

2011-07-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

More health tips coming up. In the last few years, I've started eating some healthy foods and taking some supplements, etc, but who knew yogurt was so badass?

Maybe she's talking about Greek yogurt.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

26. Baizhang Sitting Alone

Raised:

A monk asked Baizhang, "So what is the peculiar matter?"

Zhang said, "Sitting alone on Great Victory (Daixiong) summit."

The monk ceremoniously bowed.

Zhang then hit him.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 25.

2011-07-29T21:44:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

25.  The Hermitage Master Doesn't Turn His Head

Raised:

            The master of the Hermitage of Lotus Flower Peak picked up his staff to show the assembly and said, "The people of ancient times arrived at this place, why didn't they agree to dwell here?"
            The assembly had no words, so he substituted himself and said, "They did not gain strength on their journey. "
            Again he said, "When completely finished, what is it like?"
            Again he substituted himself and said, "With a chestnut walking stick across my shoulders I am not a person who turns my head around to look back.  I directly enter the 1,000 peaks and the 10,000 peaks." And he left.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 24.

2011-07-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

We're still on the theme of family/not family on this round. Replace bars with board games! That'll be an interesting bill...

Of all the Paradise on Earth flyers I've seen, this seems to be the only one that explicitly states "MAKE COPIES" at the bottom. But it appears that I've taken that to heart!

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

24. Iron Grindstone the Cow

Raised:

Iron Grindstone Liu arrived at Guishan. Shan said, "Old cow, you came hah!"

Grindstone said, "In the coming day at Lookout Mountain (Taishan) there is a great assembly to provide monks with a vegetarian meal. Venerable, will you be leaving to go back there?"

Guishan relaxed his body and lay down to sleep.

Grindstone then left.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 23.

2011-07-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Considering the naive, vaguely kind tone in number 22, this number 23 takes a decidedly ruder (but equally naive) look at homosexuality. I have to admit that I had high hopes for number 23, but alas.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

23. Baofu's Mountain Rest Stop

Raised:

            Baofu and Changqing hiked to the rest stop on the mountain. Fu using his finger to point said, "Just this place on the side then is the summit of wonder."
            Qing said, "It is the norm as it is, but a pity to admit it.
            Xuedou attached words saying, "Today, sharing a hike on the mountain with these fellows, what is there in particular to seek?"
            Again he said, "A hundred thousand years afterwards, I do not say without any, only they are few."
            Afterwards it was raised to show Jingqing.  Qing said, "If not for Grandfather Sun, then one would see skulls throughout the countryside."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 22.

2011-07-26T21:29:00.000-07:00

You just have to love the naive concepts toward relationships in this one. Having just looked over some of the higher-numbered flyers today, it's amazing how quickly and thoroughly the focus changes to lamp post "subliminals," doctors "self-inflicting," and various kinds of substances one might consider wearing under hats...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

22. Xuefeng Sees A Snake

Raised:

Xuefeng taught the assembly saying: "On South Mountain (alt: the south side of the mountain) there is a singular turtle-nosed snake. You people of various ranks should take a good look."

Changqing said, "Today within the hall, great are the people who lose body and lose life."

A monk raised this to show to Xuansha. Xuansha said, "Although in this way it is necessary that Elder Brother [Changqing] Leng be able to begin, I do not draw near like this."

The monk said, "Venerable, how do you make it come alive?"

Xuansha said, "Why make use of 'South Mountain'?"

Yunmen flung down his staff towards Xuefeng and in front of his face made gestures of fear.

Paradise on Earth Versus the Blue Cliff Record, 21

2011-07-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

21. Zhimen's Lotus Flower

Raised:

A monk asked Zhimen, "What is it like at the time the lotus flower has not yet gone out from the water?"

Zhimen said, "A lotus flower."

The monk said, "What is it like at the time gone out from the water?"

Men said, "Lotus leaves."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 20

2011-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the tiny font they used on this one. Fortunately, only numbers 20 and 21 use this font, and then we get back to an easier-to-read font.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

20. Longya Passes The Board
Raised:
               Longya asked Cuiwei, "So, what is the meaning of the ancestral founder's coming from the West?"
               Wei said, "Come, pass over the meditation board and give it to me."
               Ya passed over the meditation board to give it to Cuiwei. Wei received it and then was able to hit him.
               Ya said, "If you hit, then I'll allow the hit; essentially, however it is not the meaning of the ancestral founder's coming from the west."
               Ya also asked Linji, "So, what is the meaning of the ancestral founder's coming from the West?"
               Ji said, "Come, pass over the rush-ball (sitting cushion) and give it to me."
               Ya fetched the rush-ball and passed it over to give to Linji. Ji received it and was able to then hit him.
               Ya said, "If you hit, then I'll allow the hit; essentially, however it is not the meaning of the ancestral founder's coming from the west."
[Xuedou's] Ode says:
Underneath Dragon Tooth Mountain the dragon is eyeless.
When has stagnant water roused the ancient wind?
If you are not able to use the meditation board and the rush-ball cushion,
You should just part from them and give them over to Mister Black.
[Xuedou's Second] Ode says:

This old fellow even is not able to completely exhaust it and returns to complete the first ode.
Mr. Black handed over likewise. What did he rely on?
Stop with the sitting and leaning and you will carry on the ancestor's lamp.
Adequate for replying: The returning evening clouds have not combined;
The distant mountains are limitless layers and layers of blue.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 19

2011-07-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

19. Juzhi's One Finger

Raised:

Venerable Juzhi, whenever he was questioned, simply stood up one finger.

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

I am profoundly fond of old Juzhi for being one who draws out the teachings.

The universe comes in emptiness, more than that who exists?

Again and again, he has faced toward the blue sea and dropped down driftwood

On the waves in the night to join in welcoming blind turtles.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 18

2011-07-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

I must admit that this vision of "shopping malls" as places of random trades going amok in the hallways sounds pretty sweet to me--but I'm probably envisioning something closer to Burroughs' "Interzone."

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

18. The National Teacher's Style of Stupa

Raised:

               Emperor Suzong asked National Teacher Zhong, "What thing should be in place for 100 years afterwards?"
               The National Teacher said, "Build that seamless stupa to give to this old monk."
               The Emperor stated, "Please teacher, what is the style of the stupa?"
               The National Teacher waited a good long time and said, "Are you able to?" [fn18 ]
               The Emperor said, "I'm not able to."
               The National Teacher said, "I have handed down the Dharma to my disciple Danyuan,, however he is fully acquainted with this business. Please decree that the question goes to him."
               Afterwards, the National Teacher passed into transformation.
               The Emperor decreed that Danyuan be asked, "What is this meaning?"
               Yuan said, "South of the river, north of the lake,"
               Xuedou's attached words say, "A single palm does not make the sound of waves."
               "In the middle there is gold sufficient for the whole nation."
               Xuedou's attached words say, "A staff shaped in the mountains."
               "Below the shadowless tree, gathered in the same boat."
               Xuedou's attached words say, "A peaceful sea, a clear river."
               "Up in the Crystal Palace, non-knowing."
               Xuedou's attached words say, "Picking it up is finished!"

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

               Looking back at the seamless stupa is difficult.
               The clear and still deep pool does not allow the green dragon to coil up (within it).
               The floors go down and down, the reflections go round and round,
               For 1,000 ancient ages, 10,000 ancient ages, people take part in watching over it.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 17

2011-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

17. Xianglin's Long Sitting

Raised:

A monk asked Xianglin. "So, what was the intent of the ancestral founder coming from the west?"

Lin said, "To sit for a long time becomes work."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 16

2011-07-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

16. Jingqing In the Grass

Raised:

A monk asked Jingqing, "This student spits. I beg the teacher to peck."

Qing said, "Yet, are you able to be alive or not?"

The monk said, "If I'm not alive, then people who encounter me would marvel and laugh."

Qing said, "You too are a fellow in the grass."

[Xuedou's] Ode says:

The Buddhas of old had a family style.

The raising of comparisons incurred devaluing and stripping away.

Child and mother do not recognize each other.

Is there someone who is equally spitting and pecking?

Pecking, awakening,

Yet even so, he's in the shell.

Valuing incurs a beating.

Patch-robed monks under Heaven disdain fame.

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 15

2011-07-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

15. Yunmen's Emptying Utterance

Raised:

A monk asked Yunmen, "When it is not the current function and not the current phenomena, at that time what is it like?"

Men said, "Emptying a single utterance."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 14

2011-07-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

14. Yunmen's Answering Utterance

Raised:

A monk asked Yunmen, "So what is the teaching of a single/one/whole epoch?"

Yunmen said, "Answering a single utterance."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 13

2011-07-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

The major themes of "Chinese Subliminals" and "Self Infliction" begin to take shape here, though they're not mentioned by name yet. And the original fixation with alternative medicine/healing stuff disappears for now to make room. I wonder who we could get to build this huge "dirt concrete wall along our borders?"

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

13. Baling Heaping Snow

Raised:

A monk asked Baling, "So what is the Deva lineage?"
Baling said, "Heaping snow in a silver bowl."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 12.

2011-07-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

At this point, in my opinion, things start to heat up in these flyers. There is a pretty amazing diversity of crazy talk in this edition:

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

12. Dongshan's Three Pounds

Raised:

A monk asked Dongshan, "So what is Buddha?"

Shan said, "Three pounds of flax."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 11.

2011-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

She didn't manage to swing the 3-column format this time around. By the way, the author (or distributor?) of these flyers is a registered lobbyist in NE representing some kind of "Kindness Schools" organization based in Iowa.

I wonder, too, if "Chrisma" is a typo? "Chrisma Healing" is a pretty obscure concept--"Charisma Healing" is a relatively more common idea: group prayer, basically. Chrisma, on the other hand, would deal with annointing. But considering all of the references to slathering yourself in honey and various substances, maybe Chrisma is what she/they intend, after all...

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

11. Huangbo Slurping Dregs

Raised:

            Huangbo instructed the assembly and said, "You people of various ranks are fellows who indeed slurp the dregs of the wine to the limit. In this way you travel about on your feet. At what place is today?  Do you even know that within the great nation of Tang there are no Zen teachers?"
            At that time there was a monk who stood out and said, "But there seems to be in the various directions those who correct disciples and guide assemblies, how do they make it come alive?"
            Bo said, "I did not say no Zen; only no teachers."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 10.

2011-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

10. Muzhou Robbing and Deceiving

Raised:

Muzhou asked a monk, "What place did you leave from nearby?”

The monk then shouted.

Zhou said, "This old monk, because of you, has one shout."

The monk again shouted.

Zhou said, "After three shouts and four shouts, how do you make it come alive?"

The monk was speechless.

Zhou then hit him and said, "This is the top fellow of robbing and deceiving."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 9.

2011-07-13T04:16:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

9. Zhaozhou's Four Gates

Raised:

A monk asked Zhaozhou, "So what is Zhaozhou?
Zhou said, "East gate, west gate, south gate, north gate."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 8.

2011-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

8. Cuiyan's Eyebrows

Raised:

Cuiyan at the end of summer instructed the assembly and said, "Continuing since the first of the summer elder brothers and younger brothers, I clarified by words. Observe, are Cuiyan's eyebrows on?"

Baofu said, "I regard the thief's heart-mind as deceptive (alt. hollow, empty void)."

Changquing said, "Alive also."

Yunmen said, "Checkpoint."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 7.

2011-07-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

7. Fayan Consults with Huichao

Raised:

               A monk asked Fayan, "Huichao is consulting, Venerable, so what is Buddha?"

Fayan said, "You are Huichao."

Paradise on Earth versus the Blue Cliff Record, 6.

2011-07-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards

6.  Yunmen's Good Day

Raised:

            Yunmen handed down words and said, "I do not ask you about before the 15th day has ended.   I invite you to speak using one sentence about after the 15^th day is done."
            He substituted himself and said, "Every day is a good day."