The Case
A monk asked zen master Unmon, "What is Buddha?" Unmon replied "Kanshiketsu (shit-stick)!"
Mumon's Comment
Zen master Ummon was too poor to prepare plain food, too busy to speak from notes. He hurriedly took up the shit to support the Way. The decline of Buddhism was thus foreshadowed.
Verse
Lightning flashing, Sparks shooting; A moment's blinking, Missed forever.