ZEN STORIES

The monks of the eastern and western halls were arguing over a cat. Nansen, holding up the cat, said, " If any of you can speak a word of Zen, I will spare the cat. If you cannot, I will cut it in two." The monks could not answer. Nansen cut the cat in two. Later, Joshu returned from outside. Nansen told him what had happened. Joshu took off his sandal, placed it on his head, and walked out. Nansen said, "If you had been here, the cat would have been saved."