Dongshan Liangjie was a seminal Chinese Zen master of the Tang Dynasty. He established the Caodong lineage/school with his disciple Caoshan Benji, emphasizing silent illumination (默照禅) — a meditation practice integrating stillness and innate wisdom without forced effort.
A disciple once asked Dongshan Liangjie:
“When cold and heat come, how can I avoid them?”
Dongshan replied:
“You can go to a place where there is no cold or heat.”
The disciple asked again:
“Where is such a place?”
Dongshan answered:
“When it’s cold, become the cold itself; when it’s hot, become the heat.”
This is truly said:
“To dwell in peace, one does not need mountains or rivers;
When the fire in the mind is extinguished, true coolness arises.”
Philosophical Notes
Non-resistance to Conditions:
The disciple wants to escape suffering (symbolized by cold and heat), which represent life’s difficulties and changing circumstances. Dongshan teaches that true freedom doesn’t come from avoiding problems, but from transforming one’s relationship with them.
Unity with Reality:
When Dongshan says, “When it’s cold, become the cold,” he means to fully accept and merge with the present moment rather than resist it. This is a core teaching in Chan (Zen) Buddhism — seeing through duality and embracing what is.
Inner Peace Over External Conditions:
The final verse emphasizes that peace of mind does not depend on external environments. True peace comes from within — from quieting the mind and letting go of inner turmoil.
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