Yunmen was once asked by a monastic, “If, at the beginning of autumn, after the summer retreat period is over, someone asks me about the future, what shall I say?”
Yunmen said, “The assembly adjourns.”
The monastic said, “What will happen after that?”
Yunmen said, “Pay me for the ninety days of meals.”
Student: “What did Yunmen mean by ‘The assembly adjourns’?”
Master: “He meant the assembly that never adjourns.”
Student: “What does ‘Pay me for the ninety days of meals’ mean?”
Master: “He who attends the assembly that never adjourns is excused from paying.”
Commentary:
Those who attend an assembly are bound to break up and those who were served meals for ninety days can’t help paying for the meals.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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