This talk centres on Dongshan’s departure from his teacher Yunyan and his awakening crossing a stream shortly after. Peter explores the meaning of “it”—the mysterious totality of transmission, Buddha nature, and the ten thousand things—shown through Dongshan’s famous poem:

Just don’t seek from others, or you’ll be far estranged from self. 

I now go on alone; everywhere I meet it

It is now me; I now am not it.

One must understand in this way to merge with suchness.

This teisho was given by apprentice teacher Peter Bursky on day 3 of Winter sesshin 2025.