Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

Monk: “What have you come here for?”
Novice: “I have come to show my gratitude (On) for the master’s teaching (to learn Dogen’s teaching).”
Monk: “And how do you intend to go about showing this gratitude?”
Novice: “By not clinging to myself, I think.”
Monk: “That’s all right. And do you really intend to persevere to that extent?” (Without waiting for an answer he continues) “What was written on the Sammon?” (silence) “What was written there?”
Novice: “I don’t know.”
Monk: “Do you always enter houses even when you don’t know what lies within?” (Pause) “It is all right that you don’t know.” (Another pause)  
Monk: “Where did you stay last night?”
Novice: “In the station in Fukui.”
Monk: “There is an inn just below the sammon where you could have stayed.
Novice: “I intended to come last night but neither the train nor the electric car was running.”
Monk: “Um! The founder can be served in your home (you can study the teaching, of Dogen in your home).”
Novice: “Yes.”
Monk: “To take the trouble to come to this temple (Hon zan) was unnecessary, wasn’t it? It was unnecessary to come here…” (from Cuke.com)

We don’t have these kinds of exchanges so much at Zen Center, and those who seek to enter are subject to different kinds of scrutiny, but it’s fun to read about how you can be tested in your resolve in a more traditional setting.