上堂云。你諸人還得箇入頭處也未。若未得箇入頭。須得箇入頭。若得箇入頭。不得辜負老僧。又云。明明向你道。尚自不會。豈況蓋覆將來。問。如何是學人自己。師云。觀世音菩薩。進云。學人不會。師云。大慈悲菩薩。問。如何是祖師西來意。師云。一隊衲僧來。一隊師僧去。問。如何是展演之言。師云。量才補職。進云。如何是不展演之言。師云。伏惟尚饗。問。如何是向上一路。師云。你問將來。我與你道。進云。便請道。師云。抖擻多年穿破衲。襤毿一半逐雲飛。問。請師講經。師云。買帽相頭。進云。謝師慈悲。師云。拈頭作尾。拈尾作頭。還我第三段來。問。如何是徑截一路。師云。大眾久立。速禮三拜。進云。請師道。師云。有頭無尾漢。又云。來。來。還我徑截一路來。僧無語。有座主問。某甲雖講得經兼行脚。不會教意時如何。師云。灼然實語當懺悔。進云。乞師指示。師云。你若不問。老僧緘口無言。你既問。老僧不可緘口去也。進云。便請道。師云。心不負人。面無慚色。問。知時者是大沙門。如何是大沙門。師云。我向鼻孔裏問你。進云。作麼生問。師云。自領出去。又云。來。來。我共你葛藤。你却問我。問。如何是大沙門。師云。觀世音菩薩。會麼。進云。不會。師云。大慈悲菩薩。問。以一重去一重即不問。不以一重去一重時如何。師云。昨日栽茄子。今朝種冬瓜。問。一句道盡時如何。師云。義墮也。進云。什麼處是某甲義墮處。師云。三十棒教誰喫。問。祖意與教意。是同是別。師云。青山自青山。白雲自白雲。進云。如何是青山。師云。還我一滴雨來。進云。學人道不得。請師道。師云。法華峰前陣。涅槃句後收。

The Master ascended the hall and said, "Have you all found an entry point or not? If you haven't, you must find one. If you have, do not let me down." He added, "I am telling you plainly, but you still don't understand—how much worse if I conceal things from you?"

A monk asked, "What is the self of a student?" The Master said, "Guanyin Bodhisattva." The monk said, "I don't understand." The Master said, "Mahakarunika Bodhisattva."

A monk asked, "What is the meaning of the Patriarch coming from the West?" The Master said, "A group of monks come, a group of monks go."

A monk asked, "What is the teaching that expands and unfolds?" The Master said, "Assess talent and assign a position." The monk said, "What is the teaching that does not expand and unfold?" The Master said, "Solemn offerings to the spirits."

A monk asked, "What is the path that goes upward?" The Master said, "You ask, and I will tell you." The monk said, "Please tell me." The Master said, "Shaking out a tattered robe worn for years; half the tatters follow the clouds and fly away."

A monk asked, "Please teach the sutras." The Master said, "Buy a hat to fit the head." The monk said, "Thank you for your compassion." The Master said, "Turning the head into the tail, turning the tail into the head—return the third section to me!"

A monk asked, "What is the direct path?" The Master said, "The assembly has been standing here a long time—quickly, three bows." The monk said, "Please tell me." The Master said, "A man with a head but no tail." He added, "Come, come—give me back the direct path!" The monk was silent.

A lecturer asked, "Although I teach the sutras and travel widely, I don't understand the meaning of the teachings. What then?" The Master said, "Indeed, your honest words deserve repentance." The monk said, "Please instruct me." The Master said, "If you hadn't asked, I would have kept my mouth shut. But since you have asked, I cannot stay silent." The monk said, "Please say it." The Master said, "A heart that doesn't betray its owner—a face with no shame."

A monk asked, "One who knows the times is a great renunciant. What is a great renunciant?" The Master said, "I ask you through your nostrils." The monk said, "How do you ask?" The Master said, "Take yourself out." He added, "Come, come—let me tangle with you. But you are the one who asked me."

A monk asked, "What is a great renunciant?" The Master said, "Guanyin Bodhisattva. Do you understand?" The monk said, "I don't." The Master said, "Mahakarunika Bodhisattva."

A monk asked, "I won't ask about removing one layer with another. What about not removing one layer with another?" The Master said, "Yesterday I planted eggplants. Today I plant melons."

A monk asked, "What happens when a single phrase says it all?" The Master said, "You've violated the meaning." The monk said, "Where did I violate it?" The Master said, "Who is going to eat the thirty blows?"

A monk asked, "Are the meaning of the Patriarchs and the meaning of the teachings the same or different?" The Master said, "Green mountains remain green mountains. White clouds remain white clouds." The monk said, "What are the green mountains?" The Master said, "Give me one drop of rain." The monk said, "I cannot say it—please say it." The Master said, "Before the peak of Dharmaparyaya, after the sentences of Nirvana."

上堂。大眾雲集。師云。章表將來。時有僧出應諾。師云。據狀領過。問。佛法大意。請師舉唱。師云。我者裏不曾泥裏洗土塊。你諸方作麼生道。僧無語。有大德曾講法華經。來問。和尚。某甲雖講。不會教家大意極則處。師云。不得錯舉。問。如何是向上事。師指一僧云。那箇師僧何不問。僧無語。有僧舉雪峰語。乞師指示。峰云。是什麼。學云。乞師指示。峰云。因什麼到與麼地。舉了。僧遂問。祇如雪峰和尚意作麼生。師便打。師看經次。僧問。看什麼經。師云。金剛經。僧云。六朝翻譯。次當第幾。師云。一切有為法。如夢幻泡影。問。如何是教意。師云。我不答你。進云。和尚為什麼不答。師云。為你念來。問。如何是西來意。師云。那箇師僧何不近前來。僧便近前。師云。我喚浙東人。干浙西人什麼事。問。如何是曹溪的的意。師云。路逢劒客須呈劒。不是詩人莫獻詩。時有座主問。三乘十二分教。某甲粗知。未審宗門事。乞師提綱。師云。問著宗門事。有什麼難道。恰問著老僧鼻孔。你頭上漫漫。脚下漫漫。教家喚作什麼。主云。教家無這箇意旨。師以拄杖趂。

The Master entered the hall. The assembly had gathered. The Master said, "Present your statement." A monk then responded, acknowledging. The Master said, "Based on your presentation, you've incurred a fault."

A monk asked, "Please, Master, expound on the essential meaning of the Buddhadharma." The Master said, "Here, I never wash mud with mud. How do you all elsewhere speak of it?" The monk was speechless.

A senior monk who had once taught the Lotus Sutra came and asked, "Venerable, although I teach, I do not understand the ultimate intent of the doctrinal schools." The Master said, "Be careful not to misstate things."

A monk asked, "What is the matter of the ultimate?" The Master pointed to another monk and said, "Why doesn't that monk ask?" The monk was speechless.

Another monk cited Xuefeng's saying and asked for the Master's instruction. Xuefeng had said, "What is it?" The student said, "Please, Master, instruct me." Xuefeng said, "Why have you come to this state?" After citing this, the monk asked, "What did Master Xuefeng mean?" The Master then struck him.

While the Master was reading a sutra, a monk asked, "What sutra are you reading?" The Master said, "The Diamond Sutra." The monk said, "During the six dynasties, there were many translations. Which number is this one?" The Master said, "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows."

A monk asked, "What is the meaning of the teachings?" The Master said, "I won't answer you." The monk pressed, "Why won't the Master answer?" The Master said, "Because you've already been reciting them."

A monk asked, "What is the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West?" The Master said, "Why doesn't that monk come forward?" The monk then came forward. The Master said, "I'm calling someone from eastern Zhejiang; what does it have to do with someone from western Zhejiang?"

A monk asked, "What is the true meaning of Caoxi?" The Master said, "When you meet a swordsman on the road, you must present your sword. Do not offer poetry to someone who is not a poet."

At that time, a lecturer asked, "I have some rough knowledge of the three vehicles and the twelve divisions of the teachings. But I do not understand the matter of the school (Chan). Please, Master, outline it for me." The Master said, "Asking about the matter of the school—what's so difficult about that? It's like asking about this old monk's nostrils. You have vast space above your head and vast space beneath your feet. What do the doctrinal schools call this?" The lecturer said, "The doctrinal schools have no such meaning." The Master drove him away with his staff.

上堂云。汝等快與。快與。老僧七十九也。看看脫去也。僧便問。師百年後向什麼處去。師云。三十年後有人舉在。問。迦葉上行衣。誰人合得披。師云。抖擻多年穿破衲。襤毿一半逐雲飛。會麼。僧云。不會。師云。有時掛向肩頭上。也勝時人著錦衣。問。終日著衣喫飯。如何免得著衣喫飯。師云。著衣喫飯。進云。不會。師云。不會即著衣喫飯。有座主問。三乘十二分教即不問。如何是宗門中事。師云。老僧入你鉢囊裏。主云。和尚為什麼在學人鉢囊裏。師云。有什麼檳榔豆蔻。速將來。主云。和尚欠少箇什麼。師云。這賊今日敗也。進云。學人乍入叢林。乞師指示。師云。量才補職。進云。學人咨和尚。師咄云。這扶籬摸壁漢。三家村裏保頭也不能作得。師因赴齋迴。有僧就師乞䞋錢。師云。赴齋得三十文。僧云。便請。師云。施者雖無厭。受者應知足。問。佛法大意。請師提綱。師云。拈將來。與你提綱。進云。便請和尚道。師云。拆東籬。補西障。有僧名宗闡。宗闡咨和尚。師云。住。僧便住。師咄云。名也不識。又云。有闡即判。快道。快道。闡無對。有俗官問。一氣還轉得一大藏經麼。師云。有什麼絁紬。快將來。問。古人有言究竟一路。如何是究竟一路。師云。吽。吽。你這牓子。我這裏難遇。筆墨兩狀。一時領過。進云。某甲有什麼過。師便打趂。問。從上已來。老宿作家還有差別異路難會底道理麼。師云。有。進云。如何是差別異路難會底道理。師云。待你三生六十劫信去始得。進云。某甲乍入叢林。乞師指示。師云。你不解問。進云。和尚作麼生。師云。放你三十棒。自領出去。問。十方國土中。唯有一乘法。如何是一乘法。師云。你若不問。我即不知。你若問我。我即知。進云。為什麼如此。師云。吽。吽。什麼處得這箇問來。僧無語。問。說即振動乾坤。不說即絲毫不掛。說即是。不說即是。師云。道什麼。僧再舉。師云。這脫空謾語漢。進云。某甲話在。師云。說即振動乾坤。是你恁麼道。僧云。是。師拈拂子便打云。吽。吽。這裏嚇我來。問。教意請師提綱。師云。但問將來。我與你道。進云。便請道。師云。佛殿裏裝香。三門頭合掌。問。學人有問。未審師還許也無。師云。灼然賊來須打。客來須看。進云。未審和尚作麼生道。師云。這賊。不能打得你。問。三乘十二分教從何而得。師云。對機故得。問。請和尚答一轉語。得麼。師云。得。進云。請便道。師拽拄杖趂。

The master ascended the hall and said, "Hurry up, hurry up! This old monk is seventy-nine years old now—soon I'll be slipping away." A monk then asked, "Master, after you pass away, where will you go?" The master said, "Thirty years from now, someone will bring this up."

A monk asked, "Kashyapa's robe of practice—who is worthy to wear it?" The master said, "After all these years, I'm wearing a tattered robe, its threads half blown away with the clouds. Do you understand?" The monk said, "I don't understand." The master said, "Sometimes I hang it over my shoulder—it's still better than wearing fancy clothes like others do."

A monk asked, "All day we wear clothes and eat food—how do we avoid just wearing clothes and eating food?" The master said, "Just wear clothes and eat food." The monk said, "I don't understand." The master said, "If you don't understand, that's still wearing clothes and eating food."

A doctrinal teacher asked, "I won't ask about the three vehicles and twelve divisions of teachings—but what is the matter of our school?" The master said, "This old monk is inside your alms bowl." The teacher said, "Why is the master inside my alms bowl?" The master said, "Quick, bring me any betel nuts or cardamom you have." The teacher said, "What does the master lack?" The master said, "This thief has been caught today!" The teacher said, "I've just entered the monastery—please give me instruction, Master." The master said, "Fit the position to the ability." The teacher said, "I ask the master a question." The master scolded him, "You fence-leaning, wall-groping fellow! You couldn't even be a village head in a hamlet of three families."

Once, after returning from a meal offering, a monk asked the master for alms money. The master said, "I got thirty coins from the meal offering." The monk said, "Please give them now." The master said, "Though the giver may not tire, the receiver should know contentment."

A monk asked, "Please, Master, lay out the great meaning of the Buddha-dharma." The master said, "Bring it here—I'll lay it out for you." The monk said, "Then please, Master, speak." The master said, "Take from the east fence to patch up the west wall."

A monk named Zongchan asked the master a question. The master said, "Stop." The monk stopped. The master scolded, "You don't even recognize the name!" Then he said, "If there's a problem, judge it. Speak quickly, speak quickly!" Zongchan had no reply.

A lay official asked, "Can one turn the entire Great Canon with one breath?" The master said, "What coarse silk do you have? Bring it quickly."

A monk asked, "The ancients spoke of the ultimate path—what is the ultimate path?" The master said, "Hmm, hmm. You document-writer—I rarely encounter someone like you. Bring your paper and brush all at once." The monk said, "What have I done wrong?" The master struck him and drove him away.

A monk asked, "Since ancient times, have the old masters and great teachers had any principles that are hard to understand, with different paths and distinctions?" The master said, "Yes." The monk said, "What are these principles, with different paths and distinctions, that are hard to understand?" The master said, "You'll have to wait three lifetimes or sixty kalpas and then have faith to understand." The monk said, "I've just entered the monastery—please give me instruction, Master." The master said, "You don't know how to ask." The monk said, "What does the master mean?" The master said, "I'll spare you thirty blows—just take yourself out."

A monk asked, "In all lands throughout the ten directions, there is only the One Vehicle—what is the One Vehicle?" The master said, "If you hadn't asked, I wouldn't know. Since you ask me, now I know." The monk said, "Why is that?" The master said, "Hmm. Hmm. Where did you get this question from?" The monk was silent.

A monk asked, "To speak shakes heaven and earth; not to speak leaves not a trace—which is right, speaking or not speaking?" The master said, "What are you saying?" The monk repeated it. The master said, "You dishonest liar!" The monk said, "I have a saying for it." The master said, "To speak shakes heaven and earth—is that what you mean?" The monk said, "Yes." The master picked up his whisk and struck him, saying, "Hmm, hmm. Are you trying to scare me here?"

A monk asked, "Please, Master, lay out the meaning of the teachings." The master said, "Just ask, and I'll tell you." The monk said, "Then please tell me." The master said, "Light incense in the Buddha Hall, and put your palms together at the temple gate."

A monk asked, "If I ask a question, would the master allow it or not?" The master said, "Of course—you hit a thief when he comes, and look after a guest when he arrives." The monk said, "Then what would the master say?" The master said, "This thief—I just can't hit you."

A monk asked, "Where do the three vehicles and twelve divisions of teachings come from?" The master said, "They arise in response to conditions."

A monk said, "Please, Master, reply with a turning word." The master said, "Alright." The monk said, "Then please speak." The master grabbed his staff and chased him away.

上堂云。不受謾底人出來。有僧出應諾。師云。被我挑一塊屎擗喉嚨塞却。擗眼打也。爭不受謾。師因看金剛般若經。僧問。和尚看甚經。師云。無二無二分。無別無斷故。會麼。僧云。不會。師云。我念經也不得。有俗官問。和尚依教。不依教。師云。光剃頭。淨洗鉢。作麼生不依教。師因齋次。有俗官問。請師施食。師云。三德六味。施佛及僧。吽。吽。快將來。老僧要喫。俗官云。請和尚施財。師云。弟子施財。和尚施法。先到老僧後到佛。又俗官問。弟子今日開藏經。乞師一句提綱藏經。師云。此問難得。官云。便請提綱。師云。對牛彈琴。師因看經次。僧問。和尚看什麼經。師云。涅槃經．茶毗品最在後。問。如何是超佛越祖之談。師驀拈拄杖示眾云。我喚作拄杖。你喚作什麼。僧無語。師再將拄杖示之云。超佛越祖之談。是你問麼。僧無語。師因焦山借斧頭。師喚童子取斧頭來。童子取得來。向師前云。未有繩墨且斫麤。師遂喝。又喚童子。來。來。作麼生是你斧頭。童子遂作斫勢。師云。斫你屋裏老爺頭不得。師舉。黃檗和尚語云。天下老和尚一氣道在我者裏。要放你也在我這裏。要不放你也在我這裏。僧便問。如何是一氣道。師云。量才補職。僧云。如何是不放一氣道。師云。伏惟尚饗。問。如何是禪。師云。猛火著油煎。問。不擇一切。請師提綱佛法。師云。山河大地。畜生驢馬。進云。為什麼不會。師云。你若被我把住。直須百雜碎。僧云。和尚不可一向。師云。不信道百雜碎。問。近入叢林。乞師方便。師云。你近入叢林。進云。是。師云。心不負人。面無慚色。進云。某甲不會。師云。近前來。與你注解。僧近前。師云。去。

The Master entered the hall and said, "Let someone who is not fooled come forward."

A monk stepped out and responded, "Yes?"

The Master said, "I've shoved a lump of dung right in your throat and blocked it up. Even if I hit you, how can you say you're not fooled?"

One day, while the Master was reading the *Diamond Sutra*, a monk asked, "What sutra are you reading, Master?"

The Master said, "'No two, no duality; no distinction, no cessation.' Do you understand?"

The monk said, "No, I don't."

The Master said, "Even reciting the sutra doesn't work."

A lay official asked, "Master, do you follow the teachings or not?"

The Master said, "My head is shaved clean, my bowl is washed spotless. How could I not follow the teachings?"

Once, during a meal, the lay official said, "Please give the offering, Master."

The Master said, "With the three virtues and six flavors, offer to the Buddha and the Sangha. Hmm, hmm. Hurry up and bring it here, I want to eat!"

The lay official said, "Please give a donation, Master."

The Master said, "Disciples give physical offerings, the Master gives the Dharma. The old monk goes first, the Buddha comes after."

Another lay official asked, "Today, I open the sutras. Please give me a line to summarize them, Master."

The Master said, "This is a hard question to answer."

The lay official said, "Please summarize them now."

The Master said, "Playing the lute to a cow."

While the Master was reading sutras, a monk asked, "What sutra are you reading, Master?"

The Master said, "The *Nirvana Sutra*—the chapter on cremation comes last."

The monk asked, "What is the talk that goes beyond Buddhas and Patriarchs?"

The Master suddenly picked up his staff and showed it to the assembly: "I call this a staff. What do you call it?" The monk was silent.

The Master again showed the staff and said, "The talk that goes beyond Buddhas and Patriarchs—is that what you asked?" The monk remained silent.

Because the Abbot of Jiaoshan needed a hatchet, the Master called to his attendant: "Bring me a hatchet." The attendant brought it and said, "There's no ink line yet, just make the rough cuts." The Master then scolded him.

Then the Master called to the attendant: "Come, come. What is your hatchet?" The attendant made chopping motions.

The Master said, "You can't chop off the head of your old man at home!"

The Master brought up a saying of Master Huangbo: "All the old masters in the world—the whole track of qi is in my hands. To release you or not to release you—both are in my hands."

A monk then asked, "What is the 'whole track of qi'?"

The Master said, "Measure your talent and assign a position."

The monk asked, "What is 'not releasing the whole track of qi'?"

The Master said, "I bow and offer libations."

A monk asked, "What is Chan?"

The Master said, "Stir-fry on a raging fire."

A monk asked, "Without choosing anything, please summarize the Dharma, Master."

The Master said, "Mountains, rivers, great earth—animals, donkeys, horses."

The monk said, "Why do they not understand?"

The Master said, "If I catch you, I'll smash you into a hundred pieces."

The monk said, "Master, you can't just leave it at that."

The Master said, "Do you doubt that I'll smash you into a hundred pieces?"

A monk said, "I've just entered the monastery; please give me some guidance, Master."

The Master said, "You've just entered the monastery."

The monk said, "Yes."

The Master said, "A clear conscience knows no shame."

The monk said, "I don't understand."

The Master said, "Come closer and I'll explain it for you." The monk came closer.

The Master said, "Get out!"

上堂云。還有踏倒禪牀底出來。有僧出來應諾。師云。北來拋鈎釣鯨鯤。下場頭却釣得箇蝦䗫出來。問。如何是禪。師云。還我第二段來。進云。不會。師云。三段不同。萬里崖州。問。如何是佛。師云。裂轉鼻孔。問。如何是葛藤一句。師云。山河大地是你問。進云。如何提綱拈掇。師云。到我問。問。托即乾坤大地。不托即絲髮不逢時如何。師云。吽。吽。不曾見。師却問。先𨁝跳三千里。倒退八百。你作麼生。學云。諾。師云。先責一狀好打者漢。又云。來。來。我共你葛藤。托即乾坤大地。你且道洞庭湖水深多少。進云。不曾量度。師云。是洞庭湖水又作麼生。進云。祇為今時。師云。這葛藤尚不會得。便打。問。大眾雲臻。合談何事。師云。作麼。問。華藏海即不問。如何是向上一路。師云。好來。好來。

The Master entered the hall and said, “Is there anyone here who can knock down the meditation bench from underneath?” A monk stepped forward and responded. The Master said, “I came down from the north, casting a line to hook a giant whale. But in the end, all I caught was a little toad.”

A monk asked, “What is Chan?” The Master said, “Give me back the second part first.” The monk said, “I don’t understand.” The Master said, “The three parts are different—a thousand miles apart like Yazhou.”

A monk asked, “What is Buddha?” The Master said, “Twist your nostrils open.”

A monk asked, “What is a tangled phrase?” The Master said, “The mountains, rivers, and the earth—that is your question.” The monk said, “How do we grasp the essential thread?” The Master said, “That’s my question to ask.”

A monk asked, “If I support it, it’s the whole cosmos. If I don’t support it, not even a single hair appears. What then?” The Master said, “Hmph, hmph. I’ve never seen such a thing.” Then the Master asked, “First you leap three thousand miles, then you fall back eight hundred. What do you make of that?” The monk answered, “Yes.” The Master said, “First, I charge you with a criminal case—this fellow deserves a beating.” Then the Master added, “Come, come. Let me tangle with you. If supporting means the whole cosmos, then tell me—how deep is Lake Dongting?” The monk said, “It has never been measured.” The Master said, “But what about Lake Dongting itself?” The monk said, “It’s just for the present moment.” The Master said, “You still don’t get this tangled business,” and struck him.

A monk asked, “The assembly has gathered like clouds—what matter should we discuss?” The Master said, “What?”

A monk asked, “I won’t ask about the Flower-Store Ocean—what is the path that leads upward?” The Master said, “Welcome, welcome.”

師舉古人語次。問大眾云。三乘十二分教成得箇什麼邊事。有僧云。今日大眾普請不易。師云。不要將出來。僧云。打鼓喫藥石。師云。莫拈出。僧云。和尚得恁麼忉忉生。師云。我也祇要你恁麼道。問。如何是觸途成滯底句。師云。我也祇道。進云。作麼生道。師云。吽。吽。箭過西天十萬里。向大唐國裏等候。僧打門。問。己事不明。乞師指示。師纔開門。僧擬開口問。師便擗口摑。問。如何是學人入頭處。師云。一不得了。進云。某甲不會。師云。這箇語話。三十年後大行。問。如何是禪。師云。摩訶般若波羅蜜。進云。不會。師云。抖擻多年穿破衲。襤𣯶一半逐雲飛。睦州僧正并諸大德眾請師上堂。師問僧正。僧正應諾。師云。監寺𠰚。正云。不在。師云。都監闍黎𠰚。正云。不在。師云。上座𠰚。正云。不在。師云。三段不同。今當第一。向下文長。赴在來日。不詞謹退便起。諸大德罔措。

The Master once quoted an ancient saying and asked the assembly, "What kind of affair do the three vehicles and the twelve divisions of teachings accomplish?"

A monk said, "Today, the community's labor of inviting the Master was no small task."

The Master said, "Don't bring that out."

The monk said, "The drum is beaten, it's time to eat."

The Master said, "Don't put it forward."

The monk said, "Reverend, why do you get so fussy about it?"

The Master said, "I just wanted you to speak like that."

A monk asked, "What is the phrase that gets stuck wherever it goes?"

The Master said, "I can only say it and be done."

The monk asked further, "How do you say it?"

The Master said, "Hmm! Hmm! An arrow has shot through the western heaven for one hundred thousand miles; I'm waiting for it in the land of Great Tang."

A monk knocked on the door and asked, "I'm unclear about my own matter, please give me instruction." The Master opened the door. As the monk was about to open his mouth and ask a question, the Master slapped him across the lips.

A monk asked, "How should a student enter the gate?"

The Master said, "One thing is already not enough."

The monk said, "I don't understand."

The Master said, "These words will be widely spoken thirty years from now."

A monk asked, "What is Chan?"

The Master said, "Mahāprajñāpāramitā."

The monk said, "I don't understand."

The Master said, "Shake out the worn patched robe worn for so many years, tattered and torn; half of it drifts away with the clouds."

The monastic dignitary of Muzhou, along with many great elders, invited the Master to address the assembly. The Master asked the monk, "Oh, monastic dignitary?" The dignitary responded, "Yes." The Master said, "Overseer?" The dignitary said, "He is not here." The Master said, "Chief Officer?" The dignitary said, "He is not here." The Master said, "Elder?" The dignitary said, "He is not here." The Master said, "Three sections are different; now I bring forth the first one. As for what comes after, that's for a future day. I'll take my leave without further word." Then he stood up. The great elders were completely bewildered.

師舉。古人語云。揑聚也在我。裂破也在我。僧問。如何是裂開。師云。菩提．涅槃．真如．解脫。三九二十七。還我第一籌來。又云。即心是佛。我且恁麼道。你作麼生。僧云。某甲不恁麼道。師云。盞子落地。楪子成七片。僧云。如何揑聚。師乃斂手而坐。一日。睦州刺史問。如何是禪宗事。師云。近前來。近前來。史近前。師云。得恁麼脫空妄語。史無語。師遂問。曾見什麼人來。史云。曾見恁麼老宿來。師云。更作麼生。史云。看經來。師驀打牀一下。云。教中喚這箇作什麼。史云。教中不說。師云。教中道。治生產業與正理不相違背。又作麼生。史無對。師又打牀一下。云。大凡喚這箇作什麼。史云。喚作牀。師云。這喫飯粘漢。睦州陳操尚書因齋次。尚書自行餅餤與僧。僧遂引手接。尚書却縮手。僧無語。尚書與諸官在鎮樓上坐。忽見有數僧來。官人云。有幾箇衲僧來。尚書云。不是。官人云。爭知不是。書云。待來到這裏。與你勘。其僧遂至。尚書驀喚云。上座。上座。僧迴首。無語。書云。不信道。

The Master cited an ancient saying: "To gather it together is up to me. To break it apart is also up to me."

A monk asked: "What does it mean to break it apart?" The Master said: "Enlightenment, Nirvana, Suchness, Liberation. Three times nine is twenty-seven—give me back that first move." He then said: "The mind itself is Buddha. If I say it just like that, what do you make of it?"

The monk said: "I wouldn't say it like that." The Master said: "The cup falls to the ground, the saucer breaks into seven pieces."

The monk asked: "What does it mean to gather it together?" The Master then clasped his hands and sat still.

One day, the prefect of Muzhou asked: "What is the matter of Chan?" The Master said: "Come closer. Come closer." The prefect stepped forward. The Master said: "How can you be so deceitful?" The prefect had nothing to say. The Master then asked: "Who have you seen before?" The prefect said: "I once saw an old teacher." The Master said: "What happened then?" The prefect said: "I was reading sutras." The Master suddenly struck the bed and said: "In the teachings, what is this called?" The prefect said: "The teachings don't name it." The Master said: "The teachings say, 'Managing one's livelihood and daily affairs are not contrary to the true principle.' What do you make of that?" The prefect had no response. The Master struck the bed again and said: "In general, what do we call this?" The prefect said: "We call it a bed." The Master said: "You just care about eating!"

At a meal, Minister Chen Cao of Muzhou was serving pastries to the monks. When a monk reached out his hand to receive, the minister withdrew his hand. The monk said nothing.

The minister and other officials were sitting on the city tower when they saw several monks approaching. An official said: "Some monks are coming." The minister said: "No." The official said: "How do you know they're not?" The minister said: "Wait until they get here, and I'll check them."

When the monks arrived, the minister suddenly called out: "Venerable! Venerable!" The monk turned his head. He said nothing. The minister said: "Didn't I tell you?"

上堂。眾集。師云。忽然。忽然。有僧出來云。却請大眾歸堂去。師拍繩牀一下。云。苦殺人。僧遂回頭。師舉拄杖一時趂下。問。如何是佛法徑截。師云。三人兩人不問。進云。便請和尚道。師云。三人一狀領過。問。一言道盡時如何。師云。吽。吽。築著老僧當門齒。進云。已蒙和尚指示。師云。有頭無尾漢。錢唐去國三千里。僧無語。問。一句淨盡時如何。師云。摘却你眉毛。換却你眼睫。僧無語。師云。吽。吽。脫空謾語漢。問。如何是向上一路。師云。朝看東南。暮看西北。問。不涉廉纖。請師道。師云。三段不同。今當第一。向下文長。赴在來日。問。如何是教意。師云。還我一問來。進云。未審和尚作麼生道。師云。吽。吽。不敢望你分外。話也不領。問。如何是量才補職。師云。不要補。進云。為什麼不要補。師云。蝦䗫之類。別有一僧出來。請和尚道。師云。不要攪擾百姓。養子方知父慈。會麼。僧云。如何是養子方知父慈。師云。心不負人。面無慚色。問。如何是禪。師云。歸依佛法僧。進云。不會。師云。咄。這蝦䗫。得與麼惡業。問。學人有疑。請師一決。師云。獨掌不浪鳴。進云。不會。師云。隻絲不成束。自領出去。問。徑截處。乞師指示。師云。早朝有人問了也。進云。早朝有人問了且致。請師道。師云。三門頭市合金剛。脚子小兒子簸錢。問。如何是教意。師云。一問不再舉。問。如何是一代時教。師云。上大人。丘乙己。問。如何是急。師云。通你一問。進云。如何是急中急。師云。朝向西瞿耶尼。暮向北鬱單越。俗官問。弟子廣陳供養。師有何方便。師云。祇怕你不問。官云。便請和尚道。師云。心不負人。面無慚色。問。以八不成。是何章句。師彈指一下。云。會麼。進云。不會。師云。上來講讚。無限勝因。蝦䗫𨁝跳上天。蚯蚓驀過東海。問。如何是󳬧子。師云。這死󳭋兒。進云。如何是󳬧子之機。師云。昨日有師僧趂出去。你今日又來這裏。進云。過在什麼處。師云。敕貶朝官。問。如何是機前一句。師云。老僧一問教你摸。進云。莫便是麼。師云。對牛彈琴。問。正當說時時如何。師云。你為什麼話墮。進云。什麼處是話墮處。師云。擔枷過狀。萬里崖州。自領出去。問。大眾雲集。合談何事。師云。那箇師僧。置將一問來。學人舉頭。師便打云。老僧却不恁麼。進云。未審和尚作麼生問。師云。佛殿裏裝香。三門頭合掌。又云。你不解問。進云。未審作麼生問。師云。速禮三拜。放你三十棒。又云。後園生菜。熟水淘飯。問。如何是向上事。師云。向下文長。又云。慚愧解問。進云。請和尚道。師云。心不負人。面無慚色。問。如何是教眼。師云。十方國土中。唯有一乘法。進云。此是經文。師云。驢年會麼。進云。如何是教眼。師云。量才補職。問。如何是衲僧眼。師云。朝看東南。暮看西北。

The Master entered the hall as the community gathered. He said, "Right now. Right now."

A monk stepped forward and said, "Then everyone should go back to the hall." The Master hit the meditation bench and said, "Oh, the agony!" The monk turned his head, and the Master lifted his staff and drove everyone out.

A monk asked, "What is the direct path of the Dharma?" The Master said, "You're not one of those who don't ask." The monk pressed, "Please, Master, say it." The Master replied, "You'll get the same treatment as the other two."

A monk asked, "What about expressing it all in a single word?" The Master said, "Hmm, hmm. It hits the old monk right in the front teeth." The monk said, "I've already been instructed by the Master." The Master countered, "You're a head-without-tail fellow. Qiantang is three thousand miles from the capital." The monk was silent.

A monk asked, "What about when a single phrase completely exhausts everything?" The Master said, "I'll pluck out your eyebrows and swap your eyelashes." The monk was silent. The Master said, "Hmm, hmm. You deceitful, lying fellow."

A monk asked, "What is the path leading upward?" The Master said, "Look to the southeast in the morning, look to the northwest in the evening."

A monk asked, "Without getting tangled in trivialities, please say something, Master." The Master said, "Three sections are different. Right now, this is the first. The remaining text is long—we'll continue tomorrow."

A monk asked, "What is the intent of the teachings?" The Master said, "Give me a question first." The monk pressed, "I don't know how you would put it, Master." The Master said, "Hmm, hmm. I don't expect you to go beyond your limits, but you can't even grasp the conversation."

A monk asked, "What is 'appointing according to ability'?" The Master said, "No need to appoint." The monk pressed, "Why not?" The Master said, "Frogs and toads." Another monk came forward and asked him to speak. The Master said, "Don't disturb the common folk. Only when you've raised a child do you know a father's kindness. Understand?" The monk asked, "What is 'only when you've raised a child do you know a father's kindness'?" The Master said, "When your heart isn't false, your face shows no shame."

A monk asked, "What is meditation?" The Master said, "Take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha." The monk said, "I don't understand." The Master said, "Bah! This toad, how can he commit such a heinous offense?"

A monk asked, "I have a doubt. Please resolve it for me, Master." The Master said, "One hand cannot clap." The monk said, "I don't understand." The Master said, "A single thread cannot make a rope. Take yourself and get out."

A monk asked, "Please point out the direct path." The Master said, "Someone already asked about that this morning." The monk said, "I know that someone asked this morning, but please, say it for me." The Master said, "At the temple's three gates, the market sets up contracts for the Diamond Sutra; barefoot boys are playing coin-toss."

A monk asked, "What is the meaning of the teachings?" The Master said, "One question answered, I won't repeat it."

A monk asked, "What is the teaching of a whole era?" The Master said, "The great man above, Qiu Yiji."

A monk asked, "What is urgency?" The Master said, "I gave you a question." The monk pressed, "What is the most urgent of urgencies?" The Master said, "In the morning, go to Western Kuru; in the evening, go to Northern Uttarakuru."

An official asked, "Disciple has made lavish offerings. Does the Master have any skillful means?" The Master said, "I'm just afraid you won't ask." The official said, "Then please, say it, Master." The Master replied, "When your heart isn't false, your face shows no shame."

A monk asked, "'Not formed by the eight'—what chapter and verse is that?" The Master snapped his fingers. "Understand?" The monk said, "I don't understand." The Master said, "Before this came the praise—limitless good conditions: a frog jumps up to heaven, an earthworm crawls across the Eastern Sea."

A monk asked, "What is an udumbara flower?" The Master said, "You dead animal." The monk pressed, "What is the function of the udumbara flower?" The Master said, "Yesterday, a monk was chased out, and now you've come back here." The monk asked, "What was his fault?" The Master said, "Exiled and demoted like a banished official."

A monk asked, "What is the phrase before the trigger?" The Master said, "With just one question from the old monk, I'll make you fumble." The monk asked, "Is this it, by any chance?" The Master said, "Playing a lute to a cow."

A monk asked, "What about the moment when you're speaking?" The Master said, "Why have you fallen into mere words?" The monk asked, "Where exactly is the falling?" The Master said, "Shouldering your own cangue, submitting the petition—banished to Yazhou, ten thousand miles away. Take yourself and get out."

A monk asked, "The great assembly has gathered. What dharma should we discuss?" The Master said, "That certain monk—have him come forward with a question." The monk raised his head. The Master hit him and said, "The old monk isn't like that." The monk pressed, "I don't know how you would ask, Master." The Master said, "Light incense in the Buddha hall, join palms at the temple gate." Then he added, "You don't know how to ask." The monk pressed, "I don't know how one should ask." The Master said, "Quickly bow three times, then I'll spare you thirty blows." Then he added, "Raw vegetables from the back garden, boiled water to rinse the rice."

A monk asked, "What is the matter of what's above?" The Master said, "The remaining text is long." Then he added, "You should be grateful that you know how to ask." The monk pressed, "Please, Master, say it." The Master said, "When your heart isn't false, your face shows no shame."

A monk asked, "What is the eye of the teachings?" The Master said, "Throughout the lands of the ten directions, there is only the One Vehicle." The monk said, "But that's directly from the scripture." The Master said, "Will you understand in the year of the donkey?" The monk pressed, "What is the eye of the teachings?" The Master said, "Appointing according to ability."

A monk asked, "What is a monastic's eye?" The Master said, "Look to the southeast in the morning. Look to the northwest in the evening."

上堂云。爍電之機罕遇。且向摸窰村裏作活計。僧問。如何是摸窰村裏作活計。師云。歸依佛法僧。進云。如何是爍電之機罕遇。師云。灼然。問。三界唯心。萬法唯識時如何。師云。牙齒敲磕。更置將一問來。僧無語。師云。舌頭無骨。又拈拄杖一劃。云。會麼。僧云。不會。師云。䲺䲺鳥。問。不落玄機。便請道。師云。老僧三十年來行脚。未曾置此一問。進云。請師答話。師云。這箇阿師。什麼處得此一箇問頭來。問。高揖釋迦。不拜彌勒時如何。師云。到老僧這裏覓箇什麼。速禮三拜。又云。近前來早是教七教八。進云。也知和尚恐某甲不實。師云。拄杖不在。掃帚柄打三十下。問。古人點土成金。意旨如何。師云。老僧不與麼道。進云。和尚作麼生道。師云。金變為土。問。學人乍入叢林。乞師指示。師云。飽喫飯了。顛言倒語作什麼。進云。與麼即一切法不可得也。師云。你道我語作麼生。進云。一切法不可得也。師便打。問。學人近入叢林。乞師指示。師云。不得埋沒老僧。進云。乞師慈悲。師云。一箭過西天。一不成。兩不是。有長講法華經座主。來問。某甲雖講經。不明教意。乞師方便。師云。悟即實。初三十一。中九下七。面前背後相去多少。主云。某甲不會。乞師指示。師云。拈起著。主再問。師云。摩訶般若波羅蜜。進云。某甲不會。師云。入鄉隨俗。進云。如何是教意。師云。妙法緊那羅王。大法緊那羅王。主云。某甲不會。師云。真箇是無孔鐵槌。近前來。主便近前。師以手空撈一轉。却云。會麼。主云。不會。師云。不在這裏。

The master ascended the hall and said, "Opportunities as swift as lightning are rarely encountered. For now, let's just work in the village of Mozhi (摸窰)."

A monk asked, "What does it mean to work in the village of Mozhi?"

The master replied, "Take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha."

The monk asked further, "What about 'opportunities as swift as lightning are rarely encountered'?"

The master said, "Indeed."

Another monk asked, "When it is said that the three realms are just mind and all phenomena are just consciousness, what does that mean?"

The master said, "Your teeth are chattering. Put forward another question for me."

The monk fell silent.

The master said, "Your tongue has no bones." Then he picked up his staff and drew a line, saying, "Understand?"

The monk said, "No."

The master said, "A stupid bird."

A monk asked, "Without falling into the cryptic, please say it plainly."

The master said, "In thirty years of traveling, I've never encountered this question."

The monk pressed, "Please, Master, give an answer."

The master said, "This priest—where did you get this question from?"

A monk asked, "What about being so high that I bow to Shakyamuni but do not pay homage to Maitreya?"

The master said, "What are you looking for here with me? Quickly, make three bows."

Then he added, "By the time you came forward, you were already scattered and messy."

The monk responded, "I know the master is afraid I might not be genuine."

The master said, "My walking staff isn't here—with a broom handle, I'd hit you thirty times."

A monk asked, "The ancients could turn earth into gold—what is the meaning?"

The master said, "I don't say it that way."

The monk asked, "How would you say it, Master?"

The master said, "Turn gold back to earth."

A monk said, "I'm a newcomer to the monastery. Please give me guidance."

The master replied, "After you've eaten your fill, what are you doing babbling nonsense?"

The monk said, "Then all things are unobtainable."

The master said, "What do you think of my words?"

The monk said, "All things are unobtainable."

The master then hit him.

Another monk said, "I am new to the monastery. Please guide me."

The master said, "Don't bury me in words."

The monk said, "Please, Master, be compassionate."

The master said, "One arrow has already flown beyond the Western Heaven—it's neither one nor two."

A Dharma Master who had long lectured on the Lotus Sutra came and asked, "Although I lecture on the sutra, I don't understand its true meaning. Please, Master, give me a way in."

The master said, "If you awaken, it is real. On the third day, the thirty-first day, the middle nine, the lower seven—how far apart are front and back?"

The master said, "Lift it up."

The Dharma Master asked again.

The master said, "Maha Prajna Paramita."

The Dharma Master said, "I don't understand."

The master said, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

The Dharma Master said, "What, then, is the meaning of the teachings?"

The master said, "The wonderful Dharma Vajragarbha King, the great Dharma Vajragarbha King."

The Dharma Master said, "I don't understand."

The master said, "Truly you are an iron hammer without a hole. Come closer."

The Dharma Master came forward.

The master made an scooping motion in the air with his hand, turned around, and said, "Understand?"

The Dharma Master said, "No."

The master said, "It's not here."

上堂云。識賤即貴。僧便問。祇如長街裏還有貴也無。師云。有。進云。如何長街裏貴。師云。陳薑．陳薑。進云。恁麼則學人買得也。師云。一兩二兩。還我三文錢來。僧無語。師云。吽。吽。這脫空妄語漢。師問僧。什麼處來。僧云。天台來。師云。見說石橋作兩段。是否。僧云。和尚什麼處得這箇消息。師云。將為是華頂峰前客。元來是平田莊裏人。因見新到。師云。老僧不曾向第二句裏勘人。近前來。僧遂近前。師云。近離什麼處。僧云。請和尚辯。師云。今日雲色稍高。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。和尚合知。師云。我即知。僧云。且道某甲從什麼處來。師云。猪跳圈不出。問僧。你是行脚僧。是否。僧云。諾。師云。築著便蝦䗫叫。僧云。某甲未曾有語在。師云。來。來。作麼生道。僧云。還曾遏得住也無。師便打。問僧。近離什麼處。僧喝。師云。老僧今日被你喝一喝。僧又喝。師云。三喝四喝後作麼生。僧無語。師便打云。這掠虗漢。問僧。什麼處來。僧便喝。師云。你以古人作得主。僧又喝。師云。話破也。僧云。某甲什麼處是話破處。師便棒。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。請和尚鑒。師拈起拄杖云。你喚作箇什麼。僧云。請和尚鑒看。師便打。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。知道和尚有此一問。師云。一破．兩破．三破作麼生。僧云。和尚什麼處得許多破來。師云。吽。吽。這箇阿師好與三十棒。問僧。夏在什麼處。僧叉手退後。師云。鉢盂裏失却匙筯。草鞋根下失却一文古老錢。僧云。某甲不與麼。師云。共你葛藤。尚自不會。來。來。實道夏在什麼處。僧云。江西。師云。念你遠來。收你三十棒。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。徑山來。師云。何得五戒不持。僧云。過在什麼處。師云。我這裏不著沙彌。師見新到來參。云。尅尤叵耐。僧罔測。一邊立。師云。什麼處得這一隊打野榸漢。出去。問僧。什麼處來。其僧瞪目視。師云。驢前馬後漢。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。適來有人問了也。師云。因什麼敗闕。僧云。莫錯。師云。自領出去。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。識得即知來處。師喝云。這蝦䗫保老和尚作活計。僧云。莫錯。師云。放你三十棒。自領出去。問僧。莫是從河北來麼。僧云。某甲近離江西。師云。大展坐具。禮三拜著。其僧禮拜了便出去。師云。不空。不空。僧迴首。師云。來。來。近前來。晧是黑正好辯。僧無語。問僧。幾人新到。僧云。五人。師云。瓦解氷消。僧云。和尚未曾有問。師云。賊把贓為驗。問僧。近離什麼處。僧云。也知和尚有此一問。師云。脫空妄語漢。僧云。什麼處是妄語。師云。三十棒教阿誰喫。問僧。夏在什麼處。僧云。待和尚有箇住處即說似和尚。師云。狐非師子類。燈非日月明。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。靈山來。師云。涅槃是第幾座。僧無語。師又問。迦葉什麼處去。僧云。不知。師云。脫空妄語漢。有時纔見新到。云。現成公案。放你三十棒。僧云。某甲如何。師云。三門頭金剛為什麼却舉起拳。僧云。金剛尚乃如是。師便打。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。須知有不涉程途者。師乃咄云。開口便作屎臰氣。有僧參師。師乃拈起針云。一時穿過鼻孔。僧云。莫錯。師云。吽。吽。近前來。你適來道什麼。僧云。和尚莫錯。師云。西天斬頭截臂。這裏自領出去。師有時見新到。云。何得五戒不持。僧云。某甲未曾人事。師云。這沙彌。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。婺州來。師云。還見傅大士麼。僧云。某甲不見。師云。在雙林寺裏。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。婺州來。師云。鄉中偏出此人。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。適來途中早有人問了也。師云。這裏為什麼瓦解氷消。僧云。某甲過在什麼處。師云。擔枷過狀漢。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。那處來。師云。老僧屈。僧云。和尚知便得。師云。擔枷過狀。便打。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。莫錯。伸此一問。師云。嗄。江西來。僧云。莫錯。師云。三十棒教阿誰喫。問僧。什麼處來。僧便喝。師拍手大笑。僧罔措。師便打。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。深知和尚有此一問。師云。七縱八橫。老僧鼻孔在什麼處。僧云。和尚鼻孔為什麼却問某甲。師云。吽。吽。放你三十棒。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。靈泉來。師云。吽。吽。放你三十棒。又云。你適來恁麼道𠰚。僧云。是。師云。三門頭金剛為什麼倒地。僧無語。師云。將為是箇僧。元來祇是蝦䗫。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。請和尚辨。師云。向你脚下辨。僧無語。師云。吽。吽。什麼處並無主宰。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。洎錯祇對和尚。師咄云。將一條繩縛保老師著。僧云。某甲有什麼過。師云。去。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。靈山來。師云。近日打殺一門僧。是否。僧無語。師云。這箇蝦䗫。問僧。什麼處來。僧叉手近前。師云。太狼籍生。僧無語。師云。這掠虗漢。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。江西來。師云。江西米貴賤。僧云。不曾入󱈎。師云。念你遠來。放你三十棒。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。江西來。師云。江西此去多少。僧云。不曾量度。師云。文彩已彰。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。江西來。師云。夏在什麼處。僧云。雲居。師云。有何言教。僧云。即今作麼。師云。這箇師僧親從高處來。僧云。和尚為什麼與麼道。師云。本色打米餅保老師。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。江西來。師作打勢云。踏破多少草鞋。僧無語。師云。來。來。你曾過梅嶺麼。僧云。過。師云。今日好秋凉。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。江西來。師云。還有不喫飯底麼。僧云。有。師云。這箇是噇飯底。問僧。你頭上一問為什麼不道。僧云。什麼處不道。師云。且喜得你出頭來。問僧。什麼處來。僧云。雙林來。師云。途中事借問。得麼。僧云。和尚問什麼處。師云。你上大人也未曾夢見。出去。

The Master addressed the assembly, saying, "Recognizing what is base is what is noble." A monk then asked, "Even on Main Street, is there still nobility or not?" The Master said, "There is." The monk pressed, "How is nobility on Main Street?" The Master said, "Old ginger, old ginger." The monk said, "If so, then I, the student, have bought it." The Master said, "One or two ounces—give me back three cents." The monk was silent. The Master said, "Hmph, hmph. This liar, this deceiver."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Mt. Tiantai." The Master said, "I hear the Stone Bridge has broken in two. Is that so?" The monk said, "Master, where did you hear this news?" The Master said, "I thought you were a guest at Huading Peak, but it turns out you're just a field hand from Pingtian Village."

Seeing a newcomer, the Master said, "I have never cross-examined anyone in a second statement. Come closer." The monk then approached. The Master said, "Where have you recently come from?" The monk said, "Please, Master, discern for yourself." The Master said, "Today the clouds are a bit high."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "You should know, Master." The Master said, "I do know." The monk said, "Tell me, then, where have I come from?" The Master said, "A pig can't jump out of its pen."

The Master asked a monk, "You are a traveling monk, aren't you?" The monk said, "Yes." The Master said, "If touched, you'd croak like a toad." The monk said, "I haven't said a word yet." The Master said, "Come, come. What do you have to say?" The monk said, "Can it be stopped or not?" The Master then struck him.

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you recently come from?" The monk shouted. The Master said, "Today I've been shouted at by you once." The monk shouted again. The Master said, "What happens after three or four shouts?" The monk was silent. The Master struck him and said, "You hollow-headed fellow."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk immediately shouted. The Master said, "You think you're as authoritative as the ancients." The monk shouted again. The Master said, "The point has been exposed." The monk said, "What point have I exposed?" The Master struck him with a staff.

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "Please, Master, observe." The Master held up his staff and said, "What do you call this?" The monk said, "Please, Master, observe." The Master struck him.

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "I know you would ask this." The Master said, "One break, two breaks, three breaks—what then?" The monk said, "Master, where do you get all these breaks from?" The Master said, "Hmph, hmph. This fellow deserves thirty strikes."

The Master asked a monk, "Where did you spend the summer?" The monk clasped his hands and stepped back. The Master said, "You've lost the spoon in your bowl and the ancient coin under your sandal." The monk said, "I'm not like that." The Master said, "I'm entangled with you, and you still don't understand. Come, come, tell me truthfully: where did you spend the summer?" The monk said, "Jiangxi." The Master said, "Out of consideration for your long journey, I'll spare you the thirty strikes."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Jingshan." The Master said, "Why don't you uphold the five precepts?" The monk said, "What is my fault?" The Master said, "I don't keep novices here."

Seeing a newcomer come for an interview, the Master said, "Intolerable!" The monk was bewildered and stood to one side. The Master said, "Where did you get this bunch of wild weeds? Get out."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk stared at him. The Master said, "You're a man before the donkey, behind the horse."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "Someone just asked me that." The Master said, "Why are you defeated?" The monk said, "Don't be mistaken." The Master said, "Take yourself out."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "If you recognize it, you'll know where I come from." The Master shouted, "You toad, making a living from old Master Bao!" The monk said, "Don't be mistaken." The Master said, "I'll spare you thirty strikes. Take yourself out."

The Master asked a monk, "You haven't come from North of the River, have you?" The monk said, "I am recently from Jiangxi." The Master said, "Spread your mat wide and bow three times." The monk bowed and then left. The Master said, "Not empty, not empty." The monk turned back. The Master said, "Come, come, come closer. The cave is dark—a good time to discern." The monk was silent.

The Master asked a monk, "How many newcomers are there?" The monk said, "Five." The Master said, "Shattered and dissolved like ice." The monk said, "You haven't even asked yet." The Master said, "A thief holds the stolen goods as evidence."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you recently come from?" The monk said, "I knew you would ask this." The Master said, "You liar, you deceiver." The monk said, "Wherein am I lying?" The Master said, "Who is meant to receive these thirty strikes?"

The Master asked a monk, "Where did you spend the summer?" The monk said, "I'll tell you when you have a place to stay." The Master said, "A fox is not of the lion's species; a lamp is not the light of the sun or moon."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Mt. Grdhrakuta." The Master said, "What number seat is Nirvana?" The monk was silent. The Master asked further, "Where did Mahakasyapa go?" The monk said, "I don't know." The Master said, "You liar, you deceiver."

Sometimes, upon seeing a newcomer, the Master would say, "This is a ready-made case. I spare you thirty strikes." The monk said, "What should I do?" The Master said, "Why does the vajra at the three gates raise its fist?" The monk said, "Even the vajra does this." The Master struck him.

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "You must know that there is one free from all journeying." The Master scolded, "As soon as you open your mouth, it stinks."

A monk came for an interview. The Master picked up a needle and said, "Piercing all nostrils at once." The monk said, "Don't be mistaken." The Master said, "Hmph, hmph. Come closer. What did you just say?" The monk said, "Master, don't be mistaken." The Master said, "In the West, they'd cut off your head and arms. Here, take yourself out."

The Master sometimes said to newcomers, "Why don't you uphold the five precepts?" The monk said, "I haven't paid my respects yet." The Master said, "This novice."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Wuzhou." The Master said, "Have you seen Bodhisattva Fu?" The monk said, "I have not." The Master said, "He's in Twin Groves Temple."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Wuzhou." The Master said, "Your hometown especially produces such people."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "Someone on the road already asked me." The Master said, "Why are you shattered and dissolved like ice here?" The monk said, "What is my fault?" The Master said, "You carry your own cangue to court."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From over there." The Master said, "I'm wronged." The monk said, "If you know, Master, that's enough." The Master said, "Carrying a cangue to court," and struck him.

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "Don't be mistaken," raising this question. The Master said, "Ah? From Jiangxi?" The monk said, "Don't be mistaken." The Master said, "For whom are these thirty strikes meant?"

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk shouted. The Master clapped and laughed heartily. The monk was bewildered. The Master struck him.

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "I know well you would ask this." The Master said, "Since you're so undisciplined, where is my nostril?" The monk said, "Master, why ask me about your own nostril?" The Master said, "Hmph, hmph. I spare you thirty strikes."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Numinous Spring." The Master said, "Hmph, hmph. I spare you thirty strikes." Then he said, "Did you just say that?" The monk said, "Yes." The Master said, "Why did the vajra at the three gates fall down?" The monk was silent. The Master said, "I thought you were a monk, but you're just a toad."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "Please, Master, discern." The Master said, "I discern from under your feet." The monk was silent. The Master said, "Hmph, hmph. You have no mastery anywhere."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "I almost answered you wrongly." The Master scolded, "Tie up old Master Bao with a rope!" The monk said, "What is my fault?" The Master said, "Go."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Mt. Grdhrakuta." The Master said, "I hear they recently killed a gate monk. Is that so?" The monk was silent. The Master said, "This toad."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk clasped his hands and approached. The Master said, "Most reckless!" The monk was silent. The Master said, "You hollow-headed fellow."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Jiangxi." The Master said, "Is rice in Jiangxi cheap or dear?" The monk said, "I haven't entered the market." The Master said, "Out of consideration for your long journey, I spare you thirty strikes."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Jiangxi." The Master said, "How far is Jiangxi from here?" The monk said, "I've never measured it." The Master said, "Your pattern is already showing."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Jiangxi." The Master said, "Where did you spend the summer?" The monk said, "At Cloud Dwelling." The Master said, "What teachings do they have?" The monk said, "What about right now?" The Master said, "This monk has truly come from a high place." The monk said, "Why do you say that, Master?" The Master said, "A real rice-cake maker, old Master Bao."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Jiangxi." The Master made a striking gesture and said, "How many pairs of straw sandals did you wear out?" The monk was silent. The Master said, "Come, come. Have you crossed Plum Ridge?" The monk said, "Yes." The Master said, "It's a nice cool autumn day."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Jiangxi." The Master said, "Is there anyone who doesn't eat?" The monk said, "There is." The Master said, "This one is a glutton."

The Master asked a monk, "Why didn't you answer the question I just asked?" The monk said, "Where didn't I answer?" The Master said, "I'm glad you've come forward."

The Master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk said, "From Twin Groves." The Master said, "May I ask about a matter on the road?" The monk said, "What are you asking about?" The Master said, "You haven't even dreamed of 'Your Excellency.' Get out."