The One Great Matter

The master from the east came to town and blew everyone away with his nonattachment, compassion, and transcendence of self. He talked about thusness and said, “It is just this.” He talked about polishing an empty mirror and about the jewel-eye of truth. He talked about clarifying the one great matter and about not hiding in the realm of purity.

After the seminar, the students were talking about where to go to eat. Somebody mentioned a Thai place, someone else sushi. From the other side of the room the master strained to hear what they were saying. Watching them walk to the parking lot, he thought, “Why don’t people like me?”