Tea at Zhaoqing Temple
The monk Zhaozhou went to see the master Guizong.
Guizong asked,
"
Why have you come?" Zhaozhou said,
"I have come for tea." Guizong then served him tea.
When they finished, Zhaozhou rose to leave.
Guizong saw him to the gate. As Zhaozhou put on his sandals, he asked,
"Venerable sir, what will you do if another guest comes?" Guizong said,
"I will serve him tea, too."
Reflection
Guizong's interaction with Zhaozhou is a model of Zen hospitality. Each action - serving tea, seeing a guest to the gate, answering a simple question about future guests - is done with full presence. There is no separation between 'everyday activity' and 'sacred teaching.' The koan presents ordinary kindness as the complete expression of enlightenment.