虛堂和尚語錄 2.164

2.164

Ascending the hall, he cited: "Because the head monks of the two halls were disputing over a cat, Nanquan said, 'If you can speak, I will not cut it.' The two halls were speechless; Nanquan then cut it. Zhaozhou returned from outside, and Nanquan cited the previous words. Zhou took off his straw sandals, put them on his head, and went out. Nanquan said, 'Had you been here, you would have saved the cat.'" The Master said: "Zhaozhou borrowed a hand to offer incense, wanting to clear the grievance of the two halls. Little did he know that the cat had already died by Nanquan's hand, and down to this day the mice are numerous."