Zhaozhou Doesn't Touch

There was a nun who asked Zen Master Zhaozhou, "What is the practice of a sangha member?"

The master said, "Don't bear any children."

The nun said, "If not for you, there would be no involvements."

The master said, "If I had some involvement with you, what could you do to withstand it?"

 

Commentary

The records contain several dialogues in which Zhaozhou introduces sexuality into his relationships with women. Although he was a very old man when he began teaching, these cases show that his mind frequently turned to flirtation and even physical touch. This is very tricky ground and, frankly, I'm not sure how to view it. But I'm unsettled.

Source: The Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Joshu, translated by James Green