Go Drink Tea!

Dirty Water

When Chao-chou was traveling around, he came for an interview with Lin-chi. Lin-chi was just then washing his feet.

Chao-chou asked, "What did the Patriarch have in mind when he came from the west?"

Lin-chi said, "As it happens, I'm just now washing my feet."

Chao-chou came close and made as though listening.

Lin-chi said, "All right then, I'll throw out a second dipperful of dirty water!"

With that, Chao-chou turned and left.

Commentary
The smell alone should have told Chao-chou that trouble was coming. If only he had trusted his nose instead of his ears.

Source: The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-chi, translated by Burton Watson
Photo by Gill Poole. The photo is of Christ washing his disciples' feet, a detail from a mural at Trinity College, Kandy.

Front Gate

This post is for Jordan Fountain, author of Succession of Insights, who recently received a promotion in rank.

One time Lin-chi entered a Marines ("army") encampment to attend a dinner when he saw one of the officers at the gate.

He pointed to the bare wooden gatepost and said, "A common mortal or a sage?"

The officer had no reply.

Lin-chi struck the gatepost and said, "Even if you managed a reply, it would still be just a wooden post!" With that, he entered the camp.

Commentary
A promotion in rank won't confuse Lin-chi. And, no matter what our rank, a wooden post remains a wooden post.

Source: The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-chi, translated by Burton Watson
Photo by Dawn Endico

A Blade of Grass

The World Honored One was walking with the congregation. He stopped and pointed to the ground and said, "This is a good place to build a sanctuary."

Indra, King of the Gods, took a blade of grass, stuck it in the ground and said, "The sanctuary is built."

The World Honored One smiled.

Commentary

How can you find shelter under a blade of grass?

Source: Book of Serenity, translated by Thomas Cleary
Photo by Evan Leeson