One night at the monastics’ hall of Zen master Weiyan of Yaoshan there was no lamp. The master said to the assembly, “I have a single phrase. When the iron ox gives birth to a calf, then I’ll tell you.”
A monastic in the assembly came forth and said, “An iron ox has just given birth to a calf. Still, you haven’t said it.” Yaoshan said, “Light the lamp.” The monastic returned to his seat.
Student: “What did the monastic mean when he said, ‘An iron ox has just given birth to a calf’?”
Master: “He said the master’s single phrase.”
Student: “Why did the master say, ‘Light the lamp’?”
Master: “In order to help the assembly to see clearly what the monastic showed.”
Commentary:
Iron oxen are giving birth to calves here and there and the calves’ cries are very noisy.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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