WA student asked me what I would write next after completing book number 206, "The Inconceivable Transcendental Power." I replied that the title of the next book would be "Unlocking the Flower Koan"  [this means, "The secret of the hand that picks up a flower."] This will be book number 207. 

The student asked, "What is it about the hand that picks up a flower?" 

I answered, "The act of picking up a flower." 

He asked again, "Are you referring to Shakyamuni Buddha's picking up a flower?" 

Yes, I replied. 

The student asked, "What is so secretive about picking up a flower?"

I said, "Among the Buddha's disciples, only Mahākāśyapa knew the Buddha's act of picking up a flower. That was why it was a secret. In this era, only Grand Master Lu knows the Buddha's act of picking up a flower, and no one else knows about it. Hence it is a secret." 

The student asked, "What is the secret?" 

I answered, "It is the Supreme Truth, the one undivided truth!" 

*******

I have attained complete enlightenment. I understand that all Dharma originates from Nirvana. I also understand that sentient beings originate from their own nature of liberation. Succinctly, it is clear that the origin of nature is in Nirvana. 

Let me use the concept of "The moon in the pond" as an example. 

The moon is reflected in the pond. We see it and proclaim the presence of the moon. 

Yet, when we try to scoop it out of the water, there is no moon. 

This human world is just like the pond of water - it is simply an illusion of the nexus of beginning and end. 

Hence, the moon is the Buddha nature, for it is unconditional and uncreated. 

Do you understand? Do you? Do you? 

My enlightenment can be described as, "There is no sun in the sun-cake, just as there is no moon in the moon-cake." 

Let me tell everybody: 

There is no such thing as birth and death (or beginning and end).

There is no such thing as unsettling thoughts.

Non-creation and non-destruction are tranquil.

The ending of misleading thoughts is destruction. 

So, how do I define "me"? 

The beginning and end of attachments, and the illusion of beginning and end - in reality, the start of attachments does not begin, the end of attachments does not end too. All are, in fact, illusion. 

Herein lies the truth of the moon in the pond of water. 

******* 

It is very easy to understand what Zen Master Xuanjian at Deshan said: 

If you understand the concept of nothing, you simply stop wanting something. If you get something because of your desires, then it is as good as not getting it. If your heart is not overcome with desire nor affected by anything, you are empty yet effective, empty yet ingeniously full. If you use the few observations you have gathered to explain the fundamental concept of attachment and its illusions, then you are in for self-deception. Why is this? Reincarnation into the three evil realms cannot be superseded if you have the slightest clinging to facades and thoughts. The occasional emotions that you display in an instant will prevent you from outrunning the cycle of rebirth. Even if you chant the Buddha's name umpteen times, all are meaningless sounds. Forms are all illusions regardless of whether they are superior or inferior.  If you desire something, then you will wear yourself thin for nothing. 

Please understand each and every word in the above paragraph and think deeply about it. 

It would be fantastic if my dear readers would become enlightened after reading the paragraph above. 

If you still do not understand, please accept the beating of my baton, until you scream, "Ouch! Ouch!" 

The hand that picks up the flower is an illusion. Do you understand? 

That is why I, Grand Master Lu, am unburdened, restful, and liberated.