One day Master Baizhang, addressing his assembly, said, “Plough the rice field for me, and I’ll instruct you in the fundamental principle 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 paid for the monastics’ labour one more time although he had paid in advance.”
Commentary:
The master slipped the fundamental principle of the great matter into the monastics’ hands, but the monastics, fumbling it when ploughing the rice field, couldn’t recognise it.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 