One day Master Baizhang, addressing his assembly, said, “Plough the rice field for me, and I’ll instruct you in the fundamental principles of the great matter.” After the monastics had ploughed the rice field for the master, they said, “Now Master, please instruct us in the fundamental principles of the great matter.”
The master spread open his arms.
Student: “What did the Master mean by spreading open his arms?”
Master: “He had actually paid in advance for their ploughing of the rice field, but he paid one more time for the same work because he was so generous.”
Commentary:
The Master tried to hand it to his students only to fail, and they tried to receive it only to fail. What and where was it?
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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