Huineng Doesn't Understand

Main Case
Zen master Dajian Huineng of Mount Caoxi was once asked by a monastic, "Who has grasped the significance of Huangmei [the Fifth Ancestor, Daman Hongren]?"1

Huineng said, "Those who understand the Buddhadharma have it."2

The monastic said, "Do you have it, Master?"3

Huineng said, "No, I do not have it."4

The monastic said, "How come you don't have it?"5

Huineng said, "Because I don't understand the Buddhadharma."6

Commentary
In understanding, just understand clearly without settling down in understanding. In not understanding, just don't know without attaching to not knowing.

The Buddhadharma is beyond knowing and not knowing. Knowing is being caught up in the words and ideas that describe reality; not knowing is blank conciousness. The reality of things cannot be found in either extreme.

Capping Verse
The illiterate woodcutter from the south

still doesn't understand.

It's not that there is no such thing;

it's just that it cannot be grasped.

Appearances

 * 1) The True Dharma Eye (case 59 of 300)