The Core
The Shoyoroku Case 19: Yunmen's Mount Sumeru is a koan in which a monk asks Yunmen Wenyan, "Even in a state where not a single thought arises, is there still a fault, or is there not?" to which Yunmen simply replies, "Mount Sumeru." Usually, people say that "if each person becomes an unwavering existence like Mount Sumeru, whether thoughts exist or not is no longer an issue." However, in this dictionary, we define it as a practical lesson: "stepping away from the idle chatter of dualistic judgments like 'right or wrong' created by the world, and living the present moment as the very truth that remains unmoved."
Q&A
- Q: Why is stopping the "gossip" (idle chatter of dualistic judgments) the first step to practicing Zen teachings?
- A: Because as long as we remain trapped by worldly values and judgments such as "regular or non-regular" or "healthy or ill," we can never escape constant inner agitation. Breaking away from that trap is precisely the foundation for standing firmly on our own ground and becoming an unshakeable "Mount Sumeru."
