Shitou was once asked by a monastic, “What is the significance of Bodhidharma’s coming from India?”
Shitou said, “Ask the pillar.”
The monastic said, “I don’t understand it.”
Shitou said, “I don’t understand it, either.”
Student: “Why did Shitou tell the monastic to ask the pillar instead of answering his question?”
Master: “He was compassionate enough.”
Student: “What did Shitou mean when he said that he didn’t understand it, either?”
Master: “Poor Shitou is blamed for being too compassionate!”
Commentary:
The most valuable is not the rarest but the commonest.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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