Whenever Master Hyakujo preached the Dharma, an old man would listen from the back of the hall. One day, the old man remained after the others left. Hyakujo asked, 'Who are you?' The man replied, 'I am not human. In the time of the previous Buddha, I was the head priest here. A student once asked me if an enlightened person is subject to the law of causation. I replied, "No, he is not subject to it." For this error, I have been reborn as a wild fox for five hundred lifetimes. I beg you, Master, give me a turning word to release me.' Hyakujo said, 'The enlightened man is not blind to the law of causation.' At these words, the old man was instantly enlightened. 'I am free,' he cried. 'My fox body lies on the mountain behind this temple. Please bury it as you would a monk.'
True freedom and enlightenment do not come from escaping the laws of cause and effect, but from being fully aware and unclouded by them.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of Hyakujo's Fox?
The moral is that enlightenment does not place a person above the laws of the universe. True liberation is found in the realization that one is never separate from the law of cause and effect.
What does 'not blind to cause and effect' mean?
It means that an enlightened person does not ignore or evade the consequences of their actions. Instead, they act with full awareness of the interconnected nature of all things.
Why was the monk turned into a fox?
He was reborn as a fox because he gave a 'fixed' or dualistic answer, suggesting that enlightenment is a state of being exempt from the natural laws of karma.
What is a 'turning word' in Zen?
A turning word is a specific teaching or phrase that shifts a student's perspective, clearing away their delusions and leading to a sudden moment of spiritual awakening.
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Good night.
