Sun-Face Buddha, Moon-Face Buddha

Engo's commentary on the case

Master Ma was unwell. The prior asked, “How has Your Reverence's health been lately?” Baso said, “Sun-Face Buddha, Moon-Face Buddha.” If an ancestral teacher did not meet people with the essential matter, how could the way shine? If you know where this case comes down, you can walk alone through the cinnabar sky. If you do not, again and again you take the wrong road before the dead-tree cliff. An essential person arriving here must have the hands and feet to drive off the plowman's ox and snatch away the hungry person's food. Only then will you see where Master Ma acts for people.⁴ Many people now say, “Master Ma was receiving the prior.” Happily, that has nothing to do with it. Many in today's assemblies misunderstand. They glare and say, “Here, the left eye is Sun-Face and the right eye is Moon-Face.” What does that have to do with it? You would not dream of it in the year of the donkey.⁵ They only go on missing the ancients' affair. When Master Ma speaks this way, where is his intent? Some say, “Bring a bowl of Stomach-Calming Powder.” What handle does that give you?⁶ When you arrive here, how will you become settled? Thus it is said: The upward road is not transmitted by a thousand sages. Students wear themselves out like a monkey grasping at a reflection. These very words—“Sun-Face Buddha, Moon-Face Buddha”—are extremely difficult to see. When Setchō reaches this point, he too finds them difficult to verse. Yet because he sees through them, he uses up the work of his whole life to point them out for you. Do you want to see Setchō? Attend to what follows. When Emperor Shenzong was on the throne, he himself took this verse as satire against the state and therefore would not allow it into the canon.⁸ Setchō first picks up “Sun-Face Buddha, Moon-Face Buddha.” As soon as he has picked it up, he says, “The Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns—what are they?” Tell me: what is his intent? It was already said just now. He points straight down and annotates it. Thus it is said: Lower the hook through the four seas; fish only for a fierce dragon. This one line finishes it. Afterward Setchō versifies the effort he spent investigating throughout his life: For twenty years I knew bitter hardship; for you, how many times I descended into the blue dragon's cave. What is this like? It is like someone entering a blue dragon's cave to take a pearl. Later he smashed the lacquer bucket.⁹ One had supposed there would be so many extraordinary things. Originally it required only this: “The Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns—what are they?” Tell me: where do Setchō's words come down? You must step back and look for yourself. Only then will you see where they come down. Have you not seen how Attendant Pou of Xingyang answered Registrar Yuan's question? Yuan asked, “Sāgara comes out of the sea; heaven and earth shake. When it is presented face-to-face, what then?”¹⁰ Pou said, “The garuḍa king commands the cosmos. Who here is the person who raises his head?” Yuan asked, “If you suddenly meet one who raises his head, what then?” Pou said, “Like a falcon seizing a dove. If you do not believe it, test it before a skull; only then will you know it is true.” Yuan said, “Then I fold my arms at my chest and step back three paces.” Pou said, “Little tortoise beneath Mount Sumeru's seat! Do not wait to fail again and come back with your forehead marked.”¹¹ Thus: “The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—what are they?” Many people do not see Setchō's intent. They only keep saying that the verse satirizes the state. If you understand it that way, it is only an emotional view. The line comes from Chanyue's “Young Nobleman's Conduct”:¹² Fresh and splendid in brocade robes, a falcon on his hand; strolling idly, his manner is full of disregard. Of the hardship of sowing and reaping he knows nothing at all. The Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns—what are they? Setchō says: The hardship—fit to tell! Clear-eyed patch-robed monks, do not take it lightly. How many people make a livelihood inside the blue dragon's cave? Even if you have an eye at the crown of your head and a talisman behind your elbow—even if you are a clear-eyed patch-robed monk who sees through all four continents—when you arrive here, do not take it lightly. You must be careful.¹³