ZEN STORIES

Whenever Baizhang gave a lecture, an old man would stay behind to listen. One day after the others left, the old man remained. Baizhang asked, " Who are you?" The old man replied, "I am not a human. Long ago, in the time of Kashyapa Buddha, I lived on this mountain. A student asked me, 'Does a greatly cultivated person still fall into cause and effect?' I answered, 'He does not fall into cause and effect.' For this, I was reborn as a wild fox for five hundred lifetimes. I now beg you to give me a turning word." Baizhang said, "Ask me." The old man asked, "Does a greatly cultivated person still fall into cause and effect?" Baizhang answered, "He is not blind to cause and effect." Upon hearing this, the old man was greatly enlightened. He bowed and said, "I am now released from the body of a wild fox. My body is behind the mountain. I dare to ask the master to perform the funeral rites for a monk." Baizhang had the head monk strike the gavel and inform the assembly that a funeral would be held after the meal. The monks wondered, for no one was sick. After the meal, Baizhang led them behind the mountain and with his staff poked out the corpse of a dead fox. He then performed the cremation ceremony.