大慧普覺禪師宗門武庫 1.75

1.75

Elder Wulong visited Feng Jichuan, and in the course of their conversation said: 'In the past, an official asked the Great Sage of Sizhou: "What is the Master's surname?" The Sage said: "The surname is He." The official said: "In what country do you dwell?" The Sage said: "I dwell in the country of He." What does this mean?' Wulong said: 'The Great Sage originally did not have the surname He, nor was he a person of the country of He; he merely transformed and delivered beings in accord with conditions.' Feng laughed and said: 'The Great Sage definitely had the surname He and dwelt in the country of He.' Thus they went back and forth several times, and finally sent a letter to the Master, begging him to judge this kōan. The Master said: 'There are sixty blows: take thirty blows and strike the Great Sage for improperly saying his surname was He; take thirty blows and strike Jichuan for improperly saying the Great Sage definitely had the surname He. As for Elder Wulong, let him lead himself out.'