Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 310 Using one's own spear against one's own shield
Lu Beigu smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below before finally settling on Qi Song.

“I deeply agree with what the Zen master said earlier: if the ‘things’ that Confucian scholars seek and the ‘knowledge’ they pursue are all based on external illusions and cannot reflect back to the source of their minds, then this ‘knowledge’ will ultimately be nothing but a mirage and cannot be used to sincerely rectify one’s mind.”

Upon hearing this, a slight murmur arose from the audience.

Zhang Zai suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.

Even Qi Song's calm eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. He didn't understand what the other party meant. Did he admit defeat?
Lu Beigu then changed the subject: "However, I dare to ask the Zen Master, if we follow your teachings, all phenomena in the world—mountains and rivers, grass and trees, insects and fish, even these halls and buildings, meditation cushions and scriptures—are all 'appearances' arising from the coming together of causes and conditions, and their essence is 'emptiness,' manifested by 'consciousness.' Then, Zen Master, is the meditation cushion you sit on every day also 'emptiness'? Is it also a manifestation of 'consciousness'?"

“Of course.” Qi Song replied without hesitation, “The futon is merely a name; it appears when conditions come together and disappears when conditions disperse.”

No matter how you ask him this question, he will never change his answer.

Because this is different from previous attempts to avoid the topic or other debating methods, this question is equivalent to asking Zhang Zai "Does Qi exist?" In any situation, Zhang Zai must admit the existence of Qi.

Similarly, as the cornerstone of his theoretical edifice, Qisong must also acknowledge "dependent origination and emptiness" and "all phenomena are consciousness-only".

To understand Qisong's theory in the simplest way, it is "consciousness → causes and conditions → emptiness". At the same time, the theory of "emptiness is existence" is used to combine it with "emptiness" which represents the origin of all things.

The phrase "emptiness and existence" refers to seeing the true nature of all phenomena as illusions. In other words, the true nature of existence is absolutely unborn and undying, neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing. It is not anything at all. All phenomena are manifestations of their own nature, which is what is meant by "manifestation of mind only." However, nothing is the true nature of existence, and to say that is to become attached to appearances.

In other words, it's about saying both sides of a coin; it's actually a purely idealistic concept that can neither be proven nor disproven.

However, from the perspective of Zen Buddhism's logic, it is completely self-consistent and closed-loop.

"it is good."

Lu Beigu nodded and continued to ask, "Then, Zen Master, when you sit on this 'emptiness' and this 'name and form' to meditate and realize the true nature, is this act of 'sitting' also a kind of 'form'? Is it also born from 'consciousness'?"

"Of course."

A glint flashed in Qi Song's eyes, as if he had sensed Lu Beigu's intention, but he still answered calmly.

"Walking, standing, sitting, and lying down are all phenomena arising from causes and conditions."

Lu Beigu's voice suddenly rose: "Since that's the case, allow me to ask again, Zen Master, is the 'emptiness' you've realized through your consciousness also a kind of 'appearance' that your 'consciousness' perceives, distinguishes, and names?!"

“Zen Master! If the ‘emptiness’ you have realized is also a ‘phenomenon’ produced by consciousness, then is it also like a meditation cushion or a hot air balloon, also ‘dependent origination and emptiness’? Also ‘without inherent existence’? Also a ‘name and form’ that is ‘not to be clung to’?!”

His gaze was intense as he stared intently at Qi Song, saying, "If even the 'emptiness' you have come to understand cannot escape the laws of 'all phenomena are consciousness-only' and 'dependent origination and emptiness,' then how can you assert that the flow of 'qi,' the 'phenomena' that Zhang Zihou explored, and the 'force' he perceived are necessarily 'attachment to appearances and ignorance of nature'? Are they necessarily less real and less fundamental than the 'emptiness' you have come to understand?!"

Lu Beigu's meaning is very simple.

To put it bluntly, what Qisong meant by "emptiness" based on his understanding and enlightenment was not true "emptiness".

Because in Qisong's theory, true "emptiness" is not produced by consciousness at all, but is the eternally existing material origin.

For the first time, a clear ripple appeared on Qi Song's usually calm and composed face!
His gaze was fixed on Lu Beigu, his lips moving slightly, as if he wanted to continue using the "empty yet existent" excuse to gloss over the matter. But before he could react, Lu Beigu quickened his pace, revealing his true intentions.

“You use ‘consciousness’ as a yardstick to judge ‘qi’ as an illusion of the external world. However, isn’t your ‘consciousness’ itself just a larger and more subtle ‘appearance’ in this endless web of causes and conditions? And how can you be sure that the ‘emptiness’ you cling to is not another, deeper ‘attachment to dharma’?!”

"Zen Master! You teach people to break free from 'attachment to self' and 'attachment to dharma' in order to seek liberation. But right now, are you also using the name of 'emptiness' to practice another form of 'attachment to dharma'? With the doctrine of 'consciousness-only,' have you built a high wall that isolates you from all 'external circumstances' and denies all 'phenomena' and 'sensations'? Within this wall, there is only consciousness; outside this wall, everything is illusory? If that is the case, then isn't this 'wall' itself the greatest 'attachment'?!"

Inside the Zhenru Hall, it was as if boiling water had been thrown in with scalding oil, causing it to explode completely!

"hiss--!"

"This brat...this brat dares to do this!"

"Be bold!"

"Insanity!"

The expressions of the Zen masters beside Qisong changed drastically, filled with shock and anger. Some even stood up agitatedly, pointing trembling fingers at Lu Beigu. If it weren't for the presence of everyone in the hall, they would have almost expelled him on the spot.

The scholars below the hall were thrown into unprecedented chaos.

Astonishment, shock, confusion, contemplation, and even a hint of inexplicable excitement intertwined and shifted across countless faces.

The buzzing of voices coalesced into a massive wave of sound, almost lifting the roof off.

"He actually questioned the 'emptiness' itself that the Ming Cult masters had realized?! This...this is simply unbelievable."

"But upon closer examination, it seems to make some sense?"

"This is going to lead the Ming Cult Master's arguments toward self-destruction."

"What a sharp question! What a brilliant move to undermine the enemy's defenses!"

Zhang Zai's sense of defeat had long since vanished, and he looked at Lu Beigu with great excitement.

Lu Beigu's words were like a wake-up call, instantly opening up a new path for his mind, which was trapped in the quagmire of "emptiness"!
Yes, Buddhism uses "emptiness" as a yardstick to measure all things, judging them as "form" or "illusion." But what about this yardstick itself? Can it escape the rules it sets for itself? If not, on what basis do you use it to deny the existence of "qi"?!
Ultimately, no matter how much one tries to understand it, the emptiness that Qisong comprehends through his mind is not true "emptiness".

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! To break the deadlock with this method! Using one's own spear against one's own shield! This is simply turning the spearhead of 'All dharmas are consciousness-only' back into 'All dharmas are consciousness-only' itself!"

As the murmurs subsided, most people's attention focused on the old monk in purple robes in the hall.

Golden light shone obliquely through the window lattice onto him, and the water droplets from the melting snow in his palm had long since evaporated, leaving nothing behind.

(End of this chapter)