One day, Xuefeng led the community in communal labor. He carried a bundle of vines on his back, but his effort was fruitless. Along the way, he encountered a monk. Xuefeng then threw the bundle down, exhausted and weary. Just as the monk was about to pick it up, Xuefeng trampled it underfoot. He didn’t take the easy path, but his swift action was hard to come by. Returning, he recounted the incident to Changsheng, saying, “Today, I trampled that monk swiftly.” Changsheng replied, “The venerable should enter the Nirvana Hall on behalf of that monk.” Xuefeng then let the matter rest. Xuedou commented, “Changsheng is like the eastern family mourning the death of the western family. He too deserves a good trampling.”

The master said, "How many blows should Xuefeng have received for this? But for now, let's set that aside. Xuefeng was a great teacher to fifteen hundred disciples. Back then, they worked together every day—carrying water, hauling firewood. How different from today's practitioners, who sit comfortably, eat their fill, and feel no shame. Don't you recall when Yunmen asked a monk, 'Where have you come from?' The monk replied, 'From carrying firewood.' Yunmen said, 'Shut your mouth.' Now, what do you think Yunmen meant by that? Everyone, try to reflect on this deeply.

Consider how Xuefeng, while working with the community, knocked that monk down. When the monk later reported this to Changsheng, Changsheng—a lively fellow—said, 'Venerable, you ought to accompany this monk into the Nirvana Hall for this.' Now, this old Xuefeng—he should have just let it go right then. But what can be done about it now? One must sit quietly beneath the three rafters, on the five-foot meditation seat, and investigate thoroughly to understand.

Look at how Xuefeng, like a compassionate old woman, presents this story to everyone. If you can see through it here, naturally you'll strike the south and move the north. The moment you pick it up, your eyes will be wide open. Many people misinterpret Xuefeng's citing of this story, generating all sorts of intellectual views and conceptual paths. They just keep analyzing it, not realizing that Xuefeng's original intention was not like that at all. So, what was his intention? It deserves a good kick. Don't misunderstand it."