Rinzai asked a nun, “Did you come to the right place, or the wrong place?” The nun gave a Katsu. Rinzai held up his stick and said, “Speak again, speak again!” The nun again gave a Katsu. Rinzai hit her.
Commentary:
Rinzai’s question means, “I know that you have come to see me. However, do you know the place without coming and going that is the true-Self?” Rinzai asked this question to see whether the nun was still deluded by the illusions of right and wrong, and the Pure Land and mundane world. The nun lost no time in responding by giving a Katsu. Rinzai raised another challenge by holding up his stick and saying, “Speak again, speak again!” The nun immediately made a proper response with another Katsu. Rinzai approved her by hitting her.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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