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Chuanzi Decheng Chuanzi Decheng (Chuan-tzu Te-ch'eng, Sensu Tokujo), 8-9 C. A Dharma-heir of Yaoshan Weiyen, a Dharma-brother to Yunyan Tansheng. Nicknamed "the boatman," he lived as a ferryman after the persecution of Buddhism in 842. After transmitting the Dharma to Jiashan Shanhui, he overturned the boat and disappeared in the water. See Dogen's Sansui kyo, Chiji Shingi. The Denkoroku quotes this verse of his: "There should be no traces where you dwell but you should not dwell where there are no traces. After thirty years with my Master Yaoshan this one thing is what I understand: Total purity does not hide the body." There was a man who was so disturbed by the sight of his own shadow and so displeased with his own footsteps that he determined to get rid of both.The method he hit upon was to run away from them. So he got up and ran. But every time he put his foot down there was another step, while his shadow kept up with him without slightest difficulty. He attributed his failure to the fact that he was not running fast enough. So he ran faster & faster, without stopping until he dropped dead. He failed to realize that if he merely stepped into the shade, his shadow would vanish and if he sat down and stayed still, there would be no more footsteps. – Chuan Tzu |
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Barbey d'Aurevilly