Xuefeng’s “Thirst and Starvation”
Xuefeng said, “There are many people who sit beside a rice bucket dying from starvation. There are also many who sit beside a great body of water dying of thirst.” Xuansha said, “There are many who sink their heads inside a rice bucket and still starve to death. There are also many who stick their heads into the water and yet die of thirst.”
Yunmen later said, “Throughout the entire body is rice. Throughout the entire body is water.”
Student: “Why do many people starve to death with their heads inside a rice bucket and die of thirst with their heads in the water?”
Master: “Why are you starving to death with your head inside a rice bucket and dying of thirst with your head in the water? Eat quickly, drink quickly.”
Commentary:
The foolish, vomiting rice, struggle to get rice.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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