Mumonkan 29
Hui-neng's Flag
Two monks were arguing about the temple flag waving in the wind. One said, The flag moves. The other said, The wind moves. They argued back and forth but could not agree. Hui-neng, the sixth patriarch, said: Gentlemen! It is not the flag that moves. It is not the wind that moves. It is your mind that moves. The two monks were struck with awe.
Wumen Huikai
·
Faxing Temple, Guangzhou, China
·
c. 676
Commentary by Mumon
It is not the wind, not the flag, not the mind. Where do you see the Patriarch's true meaning? If you see it intimately, you will see the two monks buying iron while trying to get gold.
Commentary by Traditional
Hui-neng spoke to cut off their dualistic arguing. If you say the mind moves, you fall into a trap. If you say it doesn't move, you miss the point completely.
Verse by Mumon
Wind, flag, and mind moving together, All talk falls short of the mark. Only knowing how to open the mouth, He completely missed the great path.