An unpublished scene from Zen Women, p.192, in which the head monk at Dahui’s monastery, Wanan, asks Miaozong “What kind of a place is this?” And she answers to reveal the source of Buddhism: “All of the Buddhas of the three worlds, the six patriarchs and all the great monks everywhere—they all come out from within this.”
All Buddhas and all Buddhist Ancestors come out from this place–and yet… It is this very place, this small hidden entryway that has troubled Zen monks and teachers from Buddhism’s beginning to now. When Wanan fussed to his teacher that women did not belong in the monastery, Dahui argued. But Wanan continued his complaint. Dahui could not just ignore the pleadings of his head monk. And so he suggested that Wanan bring his concerns to Miaozong herself.
When he approached Miaozong’s hut, he requested an interview. She asked him if he was requesting a “Dharma interview or a worldly interview.” Wanan announced that he wanted a Dharma interview. Because they would be discussing the Dharma, Miaozong requested that Wanan dismiss his attendant, and likewise she would dismiss hers. When Wanan entered Miaozong’s hut, he saw what is depicted below–a time before selfies.
Wanan asked Miaozong “What kind of a place is this? She answered: “All of the Buddhas of the three worlds, the six patriarchs and all the great monks everywhere—they all come out from within this.” Ok fellas, without this here place, where would your Buddhas, patriarchs and monks come from? Throughout Buddhist history women have been disparaged, but please answer the question Miaozong has implied: Without women’s sexuality, where do Buddha’s come from?
Image Jordana Munk, translation Miriam Levering.
