Zhaozhou Sees Through Two Hermits
Zhaozhou called on a hermit and said, “Are you there? Are you there?”
The hermit held up his fist.
Zhaozhou said, “The water is too shallow here. It’s not a place to anchor a vessel.”
Then he went away.
Later Zhaozhou called on another hermit and said, “Are you there? Are you there?” The hermit held up his fist.
Zhaozhou said, “You have the power to give and take away, to kill and to give life.” He bowed and went away.
Student: “Why did Zhaozhou give praise and pay homage to the latter hermit while talking down to the former even though both of them made the same response to his question?”
Master: “He just changed his clothes according to the weather.”
Commentary:
It looks long in a long thing and short in a short thing.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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