Once Ma-tsu and Pai-chang were
walking along and they saw some wild ducks fly by.
"What is that?" the Master asked.
"Wild ducks," Pai-chang replied.
"Where have they gone?"
"They've flown away," Pai-chang said.
The Master then twisted Pai-chang's nose, and when Pai-chang cried out in
pain, Ma-tsu said, "When have they ever flown away?"
(Koan)
First
reaction
What did the Master mean?
Exploration
What is? Where? Gone? When?
Ma-tsu's questions are all calling for definitive answers that Pai-chang cannot
realistically give.
He has no way of determining the motives and intentions of the ducks.
Rather than say that he does not know, Pai-chang speculates.
Where, gone, when and away are all referential. They are relative to a point.
But which point? Whose point?
When Pai-chang asserts a focus, he is criticised.
Possible meaning
The ducks are just flying. Coming or going is relative to some place
or some body.
By placing yourself in the situation, you make it about you. You channel life
through yourself.
The ducks are not relative to you. They are simply flying.
It is not about you.
The situation exists independent of you.
You are simply observing and interpreting. The ducks have absolutely nothing to
do with you.
Page created 19 May 2005