Investigating the Hua Tou: How Exactly Did the Pig Die?

Since all that is perceived by the six consciousnesses is merely the illusory realm of internal manifestations, when someone kills a pig, do they actually make contact with the external pig at all? Then how did the pig die? This is a secret—a great secret—that one must contemplate and realize for oneself. Once realized, the wisdom gained is truly extraordinary. The six consciousnesses perceive the internal manifestation of the pig, yet the external manifestation of the pig dies. How did it die? Realizing this leads to awakening, but without the power of samadhi, one cannot penetrate this contemplation. Without genuine awakening, this question cannot be answered. To discern true awakening from false awakening, there are many kōans and critical phrases for examination. If one cannot answer, one must carefully reflect on one’s own awakening: How exactly was it realized? What was realized?

When the eye sees one’s own hand, it does not truly make contact with the real hand. When the hand touches one’s own head, it does not truly make contact with the real head. When one hears one’s own speech, one does not truly make contact with the real sound. When one smells one’s own body odor, one does not truly make contact with the real odor—how much less can one truly make contact with that of other sentient beings, or with other forms, sounds, scents, tastes, or tangible objects? It is impossible to truly make contact with any of them. When eating an apple, one is essentially consuming one’s own internal manifestation, yet the external manifestation of the apple disappears. If others do not get to eat it, they will be displeased.

The shadow-only realm conjured by mental consciousness is entirely an internal manifestation projected by one’s own Tathāgatagarbha and has no connection to others. For example, if one mentally wishes for someone to be healthy, the external manifestation of that person may indeed become healthy. How does this happen? If one with strong samadhi power mentally wills to kill a pig, the pig may actually be killed. How does this happen?

Some say that just one kick can bring immediate awakening. However, that single kick involves the combined functioning of at least four consciousnesses. How can one distinguish the respective functions of each consciousness? Awakening in this manner is no different from a parrot mimicking speech. Even an awakened mental consciousness can produce such kōans—what is so remarkable about that?

In the past, Master Xuefeng visited many awakened virtuous teachers and contemplated under Master Deshan for decades before finally awakening. Master Xiangyan served his teacher for eighteen years without awakening, then retired alone to a dilapidated temple to meditate. Only when a stone struck bamboo did he finally awaken. Monk Heze Shenhui, throughout his entire life, attained only intellectual awakening. People of ancient times possessed profound roots of virtue and excellent meditative skill, yet their Zen practice remained arduous—their robes loosened and their bodies withered, and they wore out dozens of meditation cushions. People today have far inferior roots of virtue compared to the ancients, and their meditative skill is even weaker—let alone their character. Why then do they hope to awaken so effortlessly? What could such easy awakening possibly yield? If one speculates about the Dharma, speculation is permitted and may yield some insight, but after all, it is called speculation—not realized awakening.