Sayings of Layman P'ang #56: Tan-hsia's Rosary

Sayings of Layman P'ang #56: Tan-hsia's Rosary

One day, while Tan-hsia was holding a rosary in his hand, the Layman came up to him and grabbed hold of it, saying, "Now neither of us is empty—handed."

Tan—hs'ia said, "The covetous old man doesn't know right from wrong."

The Layman said, "But the Master has yet to give testimony for my arrest. What will he say when it comes down to it?"

Tan-hsia said, "Oh, boo—hoo! Boo—hoo!"

The Layman said, "What a crybaby the Master is!"

Tan—hsia said, "Where's my stick?"

The Layman said, "You wouldn't beat an old man, would you?"

Tan-hsia said, "A Chinaman who's numb to pain deserves to be beaten mercilessly."

The Layman said, "Have you no other means to make me give up possession?"

Tan—hsia then let go of the rosary and walked away.

The Layman said, "Stop, thief! How can someone steal what is freely given?"

Tan—hsia turned around and laughed heartily.

The Layman said, "So! The thief has been caught out!"

Tan-hsia then came up to the Layman and grabbed him by the lapels, saying, "Do you have anything else up your sleeve?"

The Layman slapped him.

Submitted September 24, 2020 at 08:08AM by CultAwarenessNetwork https://ift.tt/3i2GWwV