The Indian government has decided to employ a new monetary measure called the 'takeout financing scheme' to encourage banks and other commercial lending institutions to advance more loans towards infrastructure projects having a long gestation period.(see SEAnews 10-07-2009)

This scheme seems to be similar to the CDS (Credit default swap), the source of financial crisis the whole world is facing now.

It is a risky bid. However if they dare to use this dangerous derivative, after seeing the melt down of the American economy with their own eyes and they themselves now facing the crisis of the world economy, they should prepare themselves to swallow a red-hot iron ball.

A monk asked Zhaozhou(778-897), who was one of the great Chan (Zen) masters during the Tang Dynasty in China, "Has a dog the Buddha Nature?" Although Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, taught us, "Grass, trees and the domains of all living things, all attain buddhahood." A dog is not necessarily to be doubted to have the Buddha Nature. Does a human being who sometimes stabs a passerby indiscriminately at a pedestrian's 'paradise' like the recent occurrence in Tokyo, invades other countries using the powers of the state, massacres other races, constructs a weapon of mass destruction called the nuclear bomb, really has the Buddha Nature? The monk also had a great doubt. However Zhaozhou answered simply "wu(has not)".

Wumen Huikai(1182-1260) who wrote "Wumenguan", the analects of Koans(questions for Chan meditation)during the Sung Dynasty in China, commented, "It will be just as if you swallow a red-hot iron ball, which you cannot spit out even if you try. However if it successfully goes through your throat, it will be as if you snatch away the great sword of the valiant general Kuanyu and hold it in your hand. Shakyamuni is nothing to be afraid of, Jesus Christ is not scary either. You command perfect freedom. Even though you fall into Hades, you still enjoy a merry and playful samadhi."

Wumen also said in his verse, "the question, 'if the dog has the Buddha Nature', hits directly fundamental principles of Buddhism. But if you think it has or has not, you are far away from enlightenment."

Koan(question for Chan meditation) may become a wonder drug or a poison drug. In a meditation hall, the Chan master chose one of the so called "Kosoku-koans(Classic Koans )" suitable to the learned priest. But Genjo-Koans(living Koan), which we face during everyday life without Chan master's prescription, are different. You may have to prepare to stab each other with the Koan and swallow it.

Today, not only India, but also Japan, America and the whole world are facing the turning point and are forced to make a difficult decision. It is not only for the leaders in the political and the economic world to prepare to swallow a red-hot iron ball, but also for common people.

A monk asked Zhaozhou "Has a dog the Buddha Nature?"

Zhaozhou answered, "Wu."

Wumen's Comment

-(omit)-

It will be just as if you swallow a red-hot iron ball, which you cannot spit out even if you try. All the illusory ideas and delusive thoughts accumulated up to the present will be exterminated, and when the time comes, internal and external will be spontaneously united. You will know this, but for yourself only, -(omit)-

It will be as if you snatch away the great sword of the valiant general Kuanyu and hold it in your hand. When you meet the Buddha, you kill him; when you meet the patriarchs, you kill them. On the brink of life and death, you command perfect freedom; among the sixfold worlds and four modes of existence, you enjoy a merry and playful samadhi.-(omit)-

The dog, the Buddha Nature,

The pronouncement, perfect and final.

Before you say it has or has not,

You are a dead man on the spot.

Source: English translation by late Zen master Katsuki Sekida (Two Zen Classics 26-137)/Japanese pronunciations are converted into Hanyu-pingyin by Hensho

(Hensho／Fanzhao：2009/07/20)