Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Wild Fox Zen

Home
Buddhist
Home and Religion
Learn Zen From This Old Woman: Iron Grindstone’s Old Cow From The Record of Going Easy

Learn Zen From This Old Woman: Iron Grindstone’s Old Cow From The Record of Going Easy

Last updated on: February 27, 2023 at 9:03 am by Dosho Port

0 Comments

Learn Zen From This Old Woman: Iron Grindstone’s Old Cow From The Record of Going Easy 2023-02-27T09:03:14-06:00 Dosho Port

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

We’re deep into winter here at the Neyaashi Zen Hermitage. Intense cold and clarity follow the big storm that swept through much of the country last week, and we’re looking at forecasts for more snow this week. What better time for the Iron Grindstone?!

Iron Grindstone Liú (9th century) was a successor of the great Guīshān. One morning, she met her teacher … and we’re still talking about what unfolded today. The incident became a kōan that is included in the Blue Cliff Record, The Record of Going Easy, and The Record of Empty Hall. Below you’ll find my fresh-off-the-translation block version from The Record of Going Easy (better known as The Book of Serenity, J. Shōyōroku), Case 60: Iron Grindstone’s Old Cow.

The introduction, capping phrases (J. jakugo), and verse highlight the strongly pro-woman stance of Hóngzhì (1091-1157), Wànsōng (1166–1246), and many in the Zen tradition, as well as the delightful play between teacher and student, both of whom rest here in the profundity of mature practice. The verse, especially, expresses the subtle and delicious mood of advanced Zen training, oh, so very well.

As with all the cases in The Record of Going Easy, the great Cáodòng master, Wànsōng, featured in Going Through the Mystery’s One Hundred Questions, wrote the introduction, indicated by the phrase, “Presenting to the assembly, saying….” Cleary sometime translates this phrase as “Pointer.” And although there is a sense that the introduction is pointing to some teaching that is about to come, it is also the presentation itself. In other words, it isn’t just an appetizer, but the whole tamale.

Following the introduction, “Presenting to the assembly, saying,” you’ll find the old case with capping phrases, again by Wànsōng. The capping phrases are indented and italicized. Finally, there is a verse written by the great Cáodòng master, Hóngzhì, who also gathered the one hundred cases. Wànsōng’s capping phrases for each line of verse are again indented and italicized.

Click here to support my Zen teaching practice at Patreon of which translations and writings like this are one facet. You will also find an advertisement free version of this post there.

The Record of Going Easy

Case 60: Iron Grindstone’s Old Cow

Presenting to the assembly, saying:

Nose held high, with excellent character, stepping firm and true. Be ready to learn Zen from this old woman. Be seen through and obtain the unattainable opportunity. Only then will you have met a true master of the Way. Yet say, who exactly is this person?

舉

Iron Grindstone Liú went to Guīshān.

We’ve already met.

Shan said, ”Old cow, you’ve come!”

Brushing away wasps, throwing off the scorpions.

Grindstone said, ”There’s going to be a great assembly at Táishān, will you go too?”

Like poison gas from a smokey fire.

Guīshān lay down.

On the way, he frees himself.

Grindstone went out.

With one push, she changes direction.

Verse

Outstanding victories in a hundred battles, now experiencing great peace

Living calmly, working happily

Easygoing, who would be willing to struggle for power?

Forgiving people is not stupid

All day long, the jade whip and the golden war horse are idle

As if they were absent

Throughout one’s life, the cool breeze and bright moon are abundant

Receive and use them – they cannot be used up

Dōshō Port began practicing Zen in 1977 and now co-teaches with his wife, Tetsugan Zummach Sensei, with Vine of Obstacles Zen, an online training group. Dōshō received dharma transmission from Dainin Katagiri Rōshi and inka shōmei from James Myōun Ford Rōshi in the Harada-Yasutani lineage. He is also the author of Keep Me In Your Heart a While: The Haunting Zen of Dainin Katagiri. Dōshō’s translation and commentary on The Record of Empty Hall: One Hundred Classic Koans, was published in 2021 (Shambhala). His third book, Going Through the Mystery’s One Hundred Questions, is now available. Click here to support the teaching practice of Dōshō Rōshi.

Home and Religion

History and Religion

Previous Post

February 23, 2023

The Diamond Trap and the Fortune Teller: Going Through the Mystery 40

Next Post

March 14, 2023 Establish Yourself In The Ground Of Truth

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"It could be true in the West. But in Japan, when people think about zazen ..."

Jeremi Maślankowski

The End of Zen in Japan?

"Yes, when zazen is understood in the culture about facing birth and death. Unfortunately, now ..."

doshoport

The End of Zen in Japan?

"I think that people will never lose fear of existence. So they will look for ..."

Jeremi Maślankowski

The End of Zen in Japan?

"Very good news that there are different forms in Japan, some with lots of practitioners. ..."

doshoport

The End of Zen in Japan?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 August 2021 June 2021 April 2021 February 2021 January 2021 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 August 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 December 2016 October 2016 June 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who built the Ark of the Covenant?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Aaron Joshua Moses Bezalel