Xuansha Draws a Circle
Xuansha saw Gushan coming and drew a circle on the ground.
Gushan said, “People cannot get out of this place.”
Xuansha said, “I think that you do things in a donkey’s womb and horse’s belly.”
Gushan said, “Master, what about yourself?”
Xuansha said, “People cannot get out of this place.”
Gushan said, “You said so and I said so. So, what’s wrong with me?” Xuansha said, “I have got it, but you haven’t.”
Student: “Both of them said the same. What’s wrong with Gushan?”
Master: “He didn’t know that punishment is not different from praise.”
Student: “What is it that Xuansha has but Gushan doesn’t have?”
Master: “Gushan has what Xuansha doesn’t have.”
Commentary:
Having a good thing is not as good as having nothing.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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