Question
Following up on my previous question—though you answered Lise on the same
subject—I agree with you: the kyosaku is compassion.
When the kyosaku is given with compassion…
You could certainly have given Sabine the kyosaku by using strong,
very strong words, powerful words that awaken without being
vulgar, crude, or violent.
But perhaps that is your teaching method?
I know Zen masters who answer powerfully, with very
strong words, when they want to trigger a breakthrough in mondo, without ever
becoming vulgar or saying, “Shut the fuck up!” But apparently the Buddha
sometimes answered people: “Heaps of spit! You are nothing but vulgar
heaps of spit!!!” Is that true? Did Shakyamuni sometimes answer those
who questioned him that way?
Thank you.
Estelle
Answer from Master Kosen
I said that if she had met God, he would certainly have told her to shut the fuck up. He would certainly have said it with a big smile. But I am not God, and I would never allow myself to use such vulgar language.
Kosen