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Blue Cliff Record, case 1

passagefirst pass 10 Aug 2026under a minute62 words

A passage I'm reading, with my first pass at it.

Source

Emperor Wu of Liang asked the great master Bodhidharma, "What is the highest meaning of the holy truths?" Bodhidharma said, "Empty, without holiness." The Emperor said, "Who is facing me?" Bodhidharma replied, "I don't know."

First pass, 10 Aug 2026

Whether the Emperor is asking a question or making a claim, and whether "I don't know" is a refusal or an answer.

Noted in 2026.

The path forks here

three nearby pieces and one twist

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Start a new walkRoad east Confucian modernity Shi Qi and mood Don't know

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