Guiding teacher, Melissa Myozen Blacker Sensei talks about the nature, and texture of compassion, using Case 89 of the Blue Cliff Record.  [Download MP3]

Yunyan asked Daowu: “How does the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion [Kannon] use so many hands and eyes?”

Daowu said: “It’s just like a person in the middle of the night reaching back in search of a pillow.”

Yunyan said: “I understand.”

Daowu said: “How do you understand it?”

Yunyan said: “All over the body are hands and eyes.”

Daowu said: “What you said is all right, but it’s only eighty percent of it.”

Yunyan said: “I’m like this, senior brother. How do you understand it?”

Daowu said: “Throughout the body are hands and eyes.”