‘One day the old monk Baizhang, addressing his assembly, said, “Work the rice field for me, and I’ll instruct you in the fundamental principles of the great matter.”

After the monks had worked the rice field for the master, they said, “Now master, please instruct us  in the fundamental principles of the great matter.”

Baizhang spread open his arms.’ (Shinji Shobogenzo)

It won’t necessarily help your grasp of the fundamental principles, but Baizhang is well-known for his edicts on work.

‘A monk asked Fengxhue, “Speech and silence are concerned with equality and differentation. How can I transcend equality and differentiation?”

Fengxhue said, “I always think of Hunan in the spring; partridges chirp among the many fragrant flowers.”‘ (The Blue Cliff Record)

The monk is stuck; Fengxhue is not just reminiscing. Speech or silence, what do you have to say?

‘A monk asked, “How can one gain accordance with the Way?”

Master Mazu said, “I’ve never gained accordance with it.”

The monk asked,  “What is the essential meaning of Zen?”

Mazu struck him and said, “If I didn’t hit you, I’d be laughed at from every direction.”‘ (Zen’s Chinese Heritage)

I mean Mazu has a point – the monk is almost pulling his leg asking a question like that – but even in those days, resorting to violence was getting pretty old. Perhaps the monk would have been better off spending some time contemplating Mazu’s first answer.

Longshan met Dongshan and Shenshan when they were traveling together. Seeing a vegetable leaf floating down a valley stream, Dongshan said, “There must be a Zen practitioner deep in this mountain.” They followed the stream up and met a hermit.

The hermit Longshan said, “There is no path in this mountain. How did you two get here?”

Dongshan said, “Let’s put aside the matter of no path. Venerable, from where did you enter?”

Longshan said, “I did not come following clouds or water.”

Dongshan said, “How long have you lived in this mountain?”

Longshan said, “I am not concerned about the passing of spring or autumn.”

Dongshan said, “Did you live here first, or did the mountain live here first?”

Longshan said, “I don’t know.”

Dongshan said, “How come you don’t know?”

Longshan said, ” I did not come here for humans or devas.”

Dongshan asked further, “Why have you been living in this mountain?”

Longshan said, “I saw two clay oxen struggling with each other until they fell into the ocean. Ever since then, all fluctuations have ceased.”‘ (Shinji Shobogenzo)

To borrow from another story (or perhaps another version of this story) a hermit who lets a vegetable leaf get away from him is not going to be good for much.

‘Zen master Jingxuan of Mount Dayang once asked Liangshan. “What is the formless seat of enlightenment?”

Liangshan pointed to a painting of Avalokitesvara and said, “That is a painting by Daoist practitioner Wu.”

Dayang was about to speak. Liangshan suddenly grabbed him and said, “This has form. What is it that has no form?”

At that moment Dayang had realization. He just stood there. Liangshan said, “Why don’t you speak a phrase?”

Dayang said, “It’s not that I am unwilling to say something. I just fear that it will end up as brush marks on paper.” Liangshan then approved him.’ (Shinji Shobogenzo)

I say, “A child of three could have done that.”

‘One day Kushan approached Xuefeng. The master knew Kushan was ready, so he suddenly got up, held him tight and said, “What is it?” Opening up, Kushan was completely enlightened – he even forgot his comprehending mind and just raised his hand and waved. Xuefeng said, “Will you express some principle?” Kushan said, “How could there be any principle?” (quoted in Swampland Flowers)

These kinds of techniques are not encouraged these days…

‘Daowu was sitting on the high seat of meditation when a monk came and asked, “What is the greatest depth of the teaching?” Daowu came down from the seat to kneel on the floor saying, “You are here after traveling from afar, but I am sorry to have nothing to answer you.”’ (The Iron Flute)

Another teacher just wanting something nice to eat…