Joshu and Tosu messing with a poor monk.

Joshu saw a monk approaching. He took an ember from the fire,

showed it to the monk, and said, "Do you understand?"

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

Joshu said, "Do not call it 'fire.' That I have said already."

Joshu lifted the ember again and said, "Do you understand?"

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

Joshu said, "If you go from here to Jo District, the place of Master

Tosu is there. You go there, bow to him, and ask your question. If

you have realized it, there is no need to come back here. If you

have not realized it, come back."

The monk left immediately. As soon as he arrived at Tosu's place,

Tosu asked, "Where are you coming from?"

The monk said, "I have come from Joshu for the express purpose

of paying homage to you." .

Tosu said, "Old man Joshu, what does he say?"

At that time the monk told the previous story in detail. Tosu got off

his Zen seat, walked three or four steps, sat down again, and said,

"Do you understand?"

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

Tosu said, "Go back and tell Joshu ."

The monk returned and told the preceding to Joshu. Joshu said,

"Well, do you understand?"

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

Joshu said, "There is not much difference."

Submitted March 03, 2018 at 07:15AM by Kyuu-bi http://ift.tt/2FadnXV