The Sayings of Linji

This is our September Zazenkai and the beginning of our autumn intensive.

Today we continue our investigation of the book of Rinzai, the Rinzai Roku, the sayings and doings of Zen Master Rinzai or Lin Chi in Chinese, 9th century Chinese monk.

We're examining Chapter 19, Section 5, Followers of the Way.

The viewpoint of the Zen school is that the cycle of life and death is naturally perpetuating.

Day five of Norang Zen Temple Summer Sesshin 2026.

Continuing our examination of the Rinzai Roku, the Book of Rinzai Kanben, Cross-Examinations, Chapter 11.

The master heard that Tokusan of the second generation had said, "Thirty blows if you can speak, thirty blows if you cannot." The master told Rokuho, "Go to Tokusan's place and ask him, 'Why thirty blows to one who can speak?' Wait for Tokusan to try to hit you, grab his stick, push him away, and see what happens." Rokuho went to Tokusan's place.

He did as instructed.

I wanna help nurture that forward a little bit more.

Thirty blows if you can speak, thirty blows if you cannot.

What are you gonna do with that? Well, the master tells his, uh, disciple, Rokuho, who we met last time we did the Rinzai Roku, uh, uh, poor Ro- Ro- uh, Rokuho, who was over his shoulder and scolded the study director and, uh, later got, uh, hit by the master.

"Were you shouting at me a moment ago?" The attendant said, "Yes." The master hit him.