Zen Master Obaku's "Partakers of Brewer's Grain"

The Case

Zen master Obaku addressed the assembly and said, "You are all partakers of brewer's grain. If you go on studying Zen like that, you will never finish it. Do you know that in all the land of Tang there is no Zen teacher?" Then a monk came forward and said, "But surely there are those who teach disciples and preside over the assemblies. What about that?" Obaku said, "I do not say that there is no Zen, but that there is no Zen teacher."

Engo's Introduction

The Buddha's supreme power is wholly within his grasp. All the souls and all the spirits of heaven and earth are under his command. Even his casual words and sayings amaze the masses and arouse the crowds. His every gesture and action remove the sufferers' chains and knock off their cangues. If a transcendent man appears, the Buddha meets him with the transcendent principle. Who can ever be so wonderful?

Verse

Commanding his way of teaching; But he made it no point of merit. Seated majestically over the whole land, He distinguished the dragon from the snake. Emperor Taicho once encountered him And thrice fell into his clutches.