16: Mountain-Man.

One day a monk asked Master Chosa Keishin of Konan: How can we make mountains, rivers, and the earth one with us?

Chosa Keishin said: How can we make ourselves one with mountains, rivers, and the earth?

15: A Brilliant Pearl.

One day a monk asked Master Gensa Shibi of the Fuku district: I have heard that you said the whole Universe in all directions is just one brilliant pearl. How should students of Buddhism understand your words?

Gensa Shibi said: The whole Universe in all directions is just a brilliant pearl. How could it be useful to understand these words with the intellect?

The next day Gensa Shibi asked the monk in turn: The whole Universe in all directions is just one brilliant pearl. How do you understand this?

The monk said: The whole Universe in all directions is just one brilliant pearl. How could it be useful to understand these words with the intellect?

Gensa Shibi said: I see that you have been struggling like a demon in a cave on a black mountain.

14: Avalance of Circumstances.

One day Master Kyozan Ejaku asked Master Isan Reiyu on Mount Isan
in the Tan district: When hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of circumstances are coming at me at once, what can I do?

Isan Reiyu replied: Blue is a different color from yellow. Something long is different from something short. All beings have their own position in the Universe. They do not have any interest in us.

Master Kyozan prostrated himself before the Master.

13: Roundly Vomiting!

One day a monk asked Master Tosu Daido of the Jo district: How is it when the moon is not yet round?

Master Tosu said: The moon swallows two or three moons.

The monk said: How about after the moon becomes round?

Master Tosu said: The moon vomits seven or eight moons.

12: Talking/ Listening.

Master Tozan Ryokai of the In district preached to an assembly: When we have understood what Ascending Buddhas are through real experience, then we can talk with each other.

Then a monk asked: What sort of “talking” would that be?

Tozan Ryokai said: For example, when a monk is talking, he cannot listen.

The monk said: Can you listen under those circumstances, Master?

Tozan Ryokai said: When I am not talking, then I can listen.

11: Thwack!

Master Joshu Jushin preached to a large assembly: If we are even slightly conscious of right and wrong, we loose the Buddha-mind completely. Does anyone have anything to say about this?

A monk walked forward and hit the Master's Jisha (personal assistant), saying: Why don't you answer the Master?

The Master went back to his personal room at once. After that the Jisha asked the Master to explain: Did the monk who struck me just now understand what you meant?

Joshu Jushin said: The person who was sitting could see the person who was standing. And the person who was standing could see the person who was sitting.

10: Come Here!

One day a monk asked Master Seigen Gyoshi: What was Master Bodhidharma's intention in coming to China from India?

Seigen Gyoshi said: He just acted as he was.

The monk said: Would you tell me again what you said right now in words that I can understand?

Seigen Gyoshi said: Come here!

The monk approached his master.

Seigen Gyoshi said: Remember this clearly!