The World-Honored One Ascends the Seat

Engo's commentary on the case

Before the World-Honored One raised the flower, this news was already present. From Deer Park to the Badi River, when did he use the adamantine royal sword? Had someone with a patch-robed monk's breath seized it in the assembly, the later flower-raising disorder could have been avoided. During the World-Honored One's long pause Mañjuśrī pressed him, and he descended. The same news was present. Śākyamuni closing his room and Vimalakīrti shutting his mouth resemble this: it has already been spoken. So do Emperor Suzong's question about National Teacher Zhong's seamless stupa and the outsider's request for neither speech nor no-speech. People say the intent is in silence or the long pause, that speech clarifies no-speech and no-speech clarifies speech. Yongjia said, “Silent, one speaks; speaking, one is silent.” Understand only this way and for three births and sixty eons you will not dream of it. Directly take responsibility and no ordinary or sage remains: this Dharma is equal, neither high nor low. Each day you walk hand in hand with buddhas of the three times. The eighty thousand at Vulture Peak—Mañjuśrī, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, host and companions—were ranked sages. Yet only the skillful within skill, extraordinary within extraordinary, knows where it lands. Setchō implies none of them knew; an adept would know it was not as Mañjuśrī said. Why? Had someone with an eye at the crown and tally behind the elbow seen through the World-Honored One before he ascended, why would Mañjuśrī strike? The Nirvāṇa Sūtra says saindhava is one name with four actualities: salt, water, vessel, and horse. A wise minister understands. When the king asks while washing, he brings water; at a meal, salt; after eating, a vessel for drink; when departing, a horse. He responds without error. Asked “What is the king requesting saindhava?” Kyōgen told a monk to come nearer, then called him dull. Jōshū descended the seat, bent, and folded his hands. A true saindhava guest would have penetrated before the World-Honored One ascended. Even the ascent and descent were already unnecessary; how much more Mañjuśrī's announcement, which subjected the Buddha to one round of dullness. Where exactly was the imposition?