The Core
Shoyoroku Case 28, Huguo's Three Embarrassments, is a koan that comes from a dialogue. In this dialogue, a monk asked three questions: high purity (a crane standing on a withered pine tree), extreme stillness and immovability (water freezing drop by drop), and sacred authority (the Huichang persecution). Master Huguo Shouchong rejected all of them, saying, "The one on the ground, the one after sunrise, and the Nio statues at the main gate are all a complete embarrassment."
In general, it is seen as a koan that warns against becoming proud by resting on high spiritual states, purity, or sacred miracles. However, in this dictionary, we define it as a practical teaching. This teaching explains the importance of breaking all attachments that cling to pride in high enlightenment, purity, immovability, and sacredness (Kojo), and returning to the reality beneath one's feet and the Original Face (Koge and Hoko).
Q&A
- Q: Why did Wansong say in his comment on Huguo, "When pointed at (indicated by words or concepts), it cannot be reached (the true reality of truth)"?
- A: Because the true reality of truth (the truth as it is) escapes at the very moment we specify it conceptually (put a dot on it) with words or thoughts, such as "it is here" or "where did it go?" As long as a person pursues it conceptually like the monk who asked, "Where did the guardian deities go?", he can never reach the truth.
