Q. What else did he give you?
Ananda asked Maha Kashapa, “Buddha gave you the golden woven robe of successorship. What else did he give you?”
Kashapa said, “Ananda!”
“Yes!” answered Ananda.
“Knock down the flagpole at the gate!” said Kashapa.
Student: “Why did Kashapa say, ‘Ananda’ when he was asked by Ananda?”
Master: “He answered Ananda’s question.”
Student: “Why did Kashapa tell Ananda to knock down the flagpole at the gate?”
Master: “He rephrased his first answer in detail.”
Commentary:
‘Knock down the flagpole at the gate’ is so detailed that it is rather confusing.
©Boo Ahm
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