This talk discusses Hui-neng’s journey to East Mountain to become a monk under the fifth patriarch Hung-jen. It considers the verses composed by Shen-hsiu and Hui-neng, the transmission of the bowl and robe to Hui-neng, and the pursuit that followed as head monk Ming chased and caught up with Hui-neng at Ta-yu peak. This is where the lines of the koan as instructed by Hui-neng are considered, ‘Don’t think good; don’t think evil. At this very moment, what is the original face of Ming the head monk?’

This teisho was given by Will Moon, roshi at Spring Sesshin 2026 at Kodoji.