Zen master Nanquan, once visited a village. For this occasion, the village headsman had made arrangements to welcome him beforehand. Nanquan said, “Usually my coming and going is not known about by others, how is it that you knew of my coming and prepared for it like this?” The headsman said, “Last night the deity of this land told us that you were coming.” Nanquan said, “Nanquan has not practised hard enough and was seen by a spirit.” His attendant said, “You are a master of great knowledge. Why is it that you were noticed by a spirit?” Nanquan said, “Offer a bowl of rice to the land deity.”
Student: “What did the master mean when he told his attendant to offer a bowl of rice to the land deity?”
Master: “I hope that you are not with a land deity.”
Commentary:
Be careful not to be possessed by the land deity.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 