Baizhang's Wild Ducks
Baizhang was walking with his disciple Mazu when a flock of wild ducks flew overhead.
Mazu asked,
"
What is that?" Baizhang said,
"Wild ducks." Mazu asked,
"Where have they gone?" Baizhang said,
"They have flown away." Mazu then twisted Baizhang's nose.
Baizhang cried out in pain.
Mazu said,
"When have they ever flown away?"
Reflection
Baizhang sees wild ducks fly away; Mazu twists his nose and asks, 'When have they ever flown away?' The story challenges our perception of time and change. Mazu is pointing to the mind that perceives coming and going - that mind itself does not come or go. The nose-twisting is a direct, physical teaching that awakens Baizhang to the timeless nature of awareness.