Master Yun of Huangbo in Yunzhou Addresses the Assembly

If you haven't broken through beforehand, when the year's end arrives, you'll surely be in a frantic mess. Some outsiders, as soon as they see people doing spiritual practice, sneer coldly, saying, "You still have this attachment." I ask you: when death suddenly comes upon you, what will you use to face life and death? You must settle this matter in your leisure, so that when urgency comes, you can use it. How much effort that saves! Don't wait until you're thirsty to dig a well—then you'll be scrambling, unprepared. The road ahead will be vast and obscure; you'll just blindly grope and stumble. How bitter, how bitter!

Usually, you only learn verbal cleverness, talking about Zen and the Way, scolding the Buddha and insulting the patriarchs. But when you get here, none of that is of any use. You've been deceiving others all along—did you ever imagine you'd end up deceiving yourself? I urge you, fellow practitioners: while your body is still strong and healthy, strive to reach a clear understanding. These pivotal points are actually very easy. It's just that you refuse to apply determined effort in your practice, always saying it's too difficult, more and more difficult.

If you are a true person of resolve, take up this case: A monk asked Zhaozhou, "Does a dog have Buddha-nature or not?" Zhaozhou said, "No." Just focus on this word "no" throughout the day and night. Investigate it day and night, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down; while putting on clothes or eating meals; even while relieving yourself. With single-minded attention, apply intense vigor, and guard this word "no." As days and months deepen, it will become one piece. Suddenly, the flower of your mind will bloom, and you'll awaken to the pivotal point of the Buddhas and patriarchs. Then you won't be fooled by the tongues of old teachers everywhere, and you'll be able to speak boldly: "Bodhidharma coming from the West was just raising waves without wind; the World-Holder holding up a flower was nothing but a defeat." When you reach this point, what talk is there of King Yama? Even a thousand sages can't do anything to you. Don't doubt it—it truly is this extraordinary.

Why is it so? Matters yield to those with a determined heart.

Commentary: This marks the beginning of later generations' use of gong'an and the practice of observing the "critical phrase." However, one need not rigidly cling to the word "nothingness." It could be "nothingness," or "the myriad dharmas," or "Mount Sumeru," or "dead and burned," and so on. Alternatively, one may investigate while reciting the Buddha's name. Choose one method and stick with it, taking awakening as the goal. Though the objects of doubt may differ, the awakening attained is not two.