I Have No Students

CASE

At Alan Watts’ funeral, Governor Jerry Brown of California met Kobun Chino and asked, “How many students do you have?” Kobun Chino replied, “I have no students.”

COMMENTARY

Jerry Brown is a student of Catholicism and Zen and at the time of this story he was governor of California who had many statistics at his fingertips. Kobun Chino Roshi (1938-2002) came to America to help Suzuki Roshi run Tassajara. Later he headed the Los Altos Zen Center. Although students flocked to him and he ordained many, he had a solitary poetic and artistic side. The funeral of Alan Watts at Green Gulch Farm was attended by many well known people.

Obaku said (Blue Cliff Record Case #2) “You are all sippers of dregs. Don’t you know that in all of Tang China there are no Zen teachers?” “What about those who teach disciples and preside over monasteries?” “I didn’t say that there is no Zen, just no Zen teachers.”

One does not posses a student or a teacher. The statistical basis of dharma is puzzling as one plus one is more than two or perhaps none.

VERSE by Dairyu

Many important guests arrive at a funeral
Alan Watts presides in the twilight
There is no accounting
For teachers and students