Lin-chi and the True Man without Rank (Part 2) (Continued from Part 1)

by Scott Mandelker, Ph.D.

Stated simply, each and every form that appears to be apart from this total pure luminosity is but a false, illusory display. Only true Mind is "Buddha" (which is, itself, beyond all description!). Furthermore, the personal mind we use is but an apparently separate expression of the unified, all-pervading Mind — just a temporary "division into the six spheres of sense."

While other Ch'an Masters have espoused the same doctrine, it is the somewhat esoteric formulation Lin-chi gives it — set in the matrix of his own unique, gunshot style — that sets it apart from others. Yet, as he was the first to admit, all his words and deeds were but empty teaching tricks...Notably, the "true man" is associated with light and vision, and many of the metaphors Lin-chi uses to describe true Mind are visual:

"Followers of the Way, he who at this moment, before my eyes is shining alone and clearly listening to my discourse — this man tarries nowhere; he traverses the ten directions and is freely himself in the three realms... In traveling everywhere through every land, in bringing enlightenment to sentient beings, he is never separate from his present mind. Everywhere is pure, light illumines the ten directions, and the ten thousand dharmas [things] are one as is." (Discourse XIII)

For Lin-chi, realization is attained by clear perception and union with the "true man" — the One who changes not, despite all outer flux. In fact, this One is none other than the Light pervading all ten directions. Pure Mind is the "true man," the Buddha. The true human agent, separate, yet tied to the lump of red flesh, is the universal principle of pure light/intelligence. Actually, this is a very esoteric statement, not often seen in Zen teaching.

Extrapolating further, we can say that this light-self manipulates the body, and thus interacts with material phenomena. This is a most 'occult' notion, in total agreement with the ageless wisdom of Theosophy. Lin-chi is basically saying that true human nature (a.k.a. "soul") is none other than radiant luminosity, engaged with, yet absolutely free of all body/mind phenomena. His teaching is actually esoteric Buddhism set in a Ch'an context.

To be continued …..