無門關 1.79

1.79

趙州到一庵主處問。有麼有麼主竪起拳頭。州云。水淺。不是泊舡處。便行。又到一庵主處云。有麼有麼主亦竪起拳頭。州云。能縱能奪能殺能活。便作禮。

Zhaozhou went to a hermit's place and asked: "Is anyone here? Is anyone here?" The master held up a fist. Zhaozhou said: "The water is shallow; this is not a place to moor a boat," and thereupon left. He came to another hermit's place and said: "Is anyone here? Is anyone here?" That master also held up a fist. Zhaozhou said: "He can release, he can take away; he can kill, he can give life," and thereupon made a bow.