One Unicorn Is Enough

One day, Hsi-Ch’ien [who was a young monk under the Sixth Patriarch Hui-Neng and later become Shih-T’ou] asked Zen Master Hsing-Ssu, “Did the Great Master Ts’ao-Ch’i [Hui-Neng] know you?"

Hsing-Ssu responded, “First of all, do you know me now?”

Hsi-Ch'ien said, “If I know you, how could the Great Master Ts’ao-Ch’i [Hui-Neng] know you?”

Hsing-Ssu laughed and said, “Oh, however many horns there may be, one unicorn is enough for me!”

Commentary
One unicorn is more than enough.

Source: The Way of Enlightenment, an unpublished manuscript by Zen Master Seung Sahn
Photo by Eugene

Comments

[wenpin]

Can you elaborate a little what Hsing-Ssu meant?

Is it about focusing on learning from our present teachers?

[Barry]

Thanks for your comment, Wenpin. I'm generally reluctant to "explain" these old cases. In my experience, their power arises from their ability to generate mystery and general confusion.

These cases prompt us toward a more intimate understanding of our life. And, indeed, that's what Hsing-Ssu asks of Hsi-Ch’ien. Out of this deep intimacy, surprising things can appear - even unicorns!

[G]

There's a big unicorn right in front of us now. On the other hand, it's no unicorn at all!