A monk asked Master Baso, ‘Please tell me Master Bodhidharma’s intention in coming to China from India, without using four-lined poems or the “hundred denials.”’
Master Baso said, ‘I am very tired today. I cannot explain it to you. Ask Master Chizo.’
The monk asked the question to Master Chizo.
Master Chizo said, ‘Why don’t you ask the Master?’
The monk said, ‘The Master told me to come to ask you.’
Master Chizo said, ‘I have a headache today, so I cannot explain it to you. Please ask my elder brother monk Kai.’
The monk then asked Master Hyakujo Ekai.
Master Ekai said, ‘In spite of having arrived at the here and now, the strange fact is I cannot fully comprehend what has happened.’
The monk told these words to Master Baso.
Master Baso said, ‘Chizo’s head is white. Ekai’s head is black.’ (Shinji Shobogenzo)
Why won’t the teachers explain? Why does the student want so badly to know? Who can teach him?


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