ZEN STORIES

A monk asked Huangbo, " What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?" Huangbo struck him. The next day the monk returned and said, "Yesterday you struck me undeservedly." Huangbo struck him again. Later, the monk went to Dajue and recounted the events. Dajue said, "Huangbo is so kind, exhausting himself for you, and you come here asking whether you deserved it or not." At these words, the monk was greatly enlightened. He then said, "Huangbo's Zen is not so much after all." Dajune seized him and said, "You bed-wetting ghost! Just now you said you were greatly enlightened, and now you say Huangbo's Zen is not so much. What truth have you seen? Speak! Speak!" The monk tried to speak, but Dajune struck him and drove him out. The monk returned to Huangbo. Huangbo said, "What did you gain from your coming and going?" The monk told him the whole story. Huangbo said, "That old fellow Dajue! The next time I see him, I'll give him a good taste of my staff." The monk said, "Why wait? Have a taste now!" With that, he gave Huangbo a slap. Huangbo laughed. "This lunatic has come here to pluck the tiger's whiskers!"