One day Yunyan said to the assembly, “There is a child in this household. If you ask a question, there is nothing he can’t answer.” Dongshan Liangjie then asked, “How large a library does he have?” Yunyan said, “Not a single word.” Dongshan said, “Then how come he is so learned?” Yunyan said, “He does not sleep day or night.” Dongshan said, “If we ask him about the single matter, can we get a response?” Yunyan said, “Although he can speak, he won’t answer.”
Student: “Who is the child?”
Master: “He never turns his head no matter how loudly you call him.”
Student: “Why won’t he answer although he can speak?”
Master: “Because you cannot understand him.”
Commentary:
He never fails to answer at the moment you ask him.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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