Joshu asked a monk, “Have you been here?” The monk answered, “Yes, I have.” Joshu responded, “Drink a cup of tea.” Joshu asked another monk, “Have you been here?” The monk said, “No, I’ve not.” Joshu said to him, “Drink a cup of tea.”
Student: “Why did Joshu only say, ‘Drink a cup of tea’?”
Master: “Because he had nothing else to say.”
Commentary:
Trying to understand what is beyond words through words is making medicine into illness.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 