Tzu Hu studied under Nan Ch'uan. He was a fellow student of Chao-chou and Tiger Ts'en [Ch'ang Sha]. At that time, Iron Grinder Liu had set up a hut on Mt. Keui. People from all over couldn't cope with her.
One day Tzu Hu came proudly to call on her. He asked, "You're Iron Grinder Liu, aren't you?"
The Grinder said, "I don't presume to say so."
Tzu Hu said, "Do you turn to the left or turn to the right?"
The Grinder said, "Don't tip over, Teacher."
Hu struck her while her words were still in the air.
Commentary
Hseuh Tou comments, in part:
Turning to the left, turning to the right, following up behind;
Tzu Hu had to hit Iron Grindstone Liu.
You still can't let yourself go. Reflections upon reflections, echoes upon echoes. I strike!
Tzu Hu had to hit Iron Grindstone Liu.
I'd break the staff and no longer carry out this order. He draws his bow after the thief has gone, so I strike. Danger!
Source: Blue Cliff Record, translated by Thomas Cleary and J.C. Cleary
Photo by Old Onliner
Ah! The age old mystery - Are you so and so? How does one respond to this when one is nothing.
Posted by: Taru Sharma | January 21, 2009 at 06:17 PM
I ask myself that same question every day. And get the same answer. Thanks for visiting, Taru Sharma!
Posted by: Barry | January 21, 2009 at 06:27 PM
Bingo! What a great strike! If we can't hit ourselves everyday, then who can?
Posted by: Uku | January 22, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Ouch! Thank you, Uku, for the hit!
Posted by: Barry | January 22, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Poor Tzu Hu,
He delivered a futile blow after he had been severed through and through.
This reminds me of an interaction between Nanchuan and Chaochou.
Joshu (Chao-Chou) asks " There are no things that are outside of the way. Outside of things there is no way. What is the way outside of things?"
Nanchuan hit him with his staff
Joshu grabbed the staff and said, "Hereafter, don't be hitting people in error!"
Nanchuan said, "It's easy to tell dragons from snakes. It's difficult to fool a patch-robed monk.
Posted by: Yamakoa | January 23, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Thanks for the wonderful story, Yamakoa. I hadn't heard it before. But Chao-chou was making a fuss just to make a fuss. Why bother with small talk?
Posted by: Barry | January 23, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Thank you Nanchuan,
The sun hear is so warm and the orange groves are filled with life.
Posted by: Yamakoa | January 24, 2009 at 06:34 AM
Today the weather is gray and cold. Small raindrops hit the deck.
Posted by: Barry | January 28, 2009 at 04:22 PM