Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 20 – Zen Master Ryuge Asks Suibi and Zen Master Rinzai

The Case

Ryuge asked zen master Suibi, "What is the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West?" Suibi said, "Pass me the board" (chin rest) Ryuge passed the board to Suibi, who took it and hit Ryuge with it. Ryuge said, "If you strike me, I will let you. But after all, there is no meaning in Bodhidharma's coming from the West." Ryuge asked zen master Rinzai, too, "What is the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West?" Rinzai said, "Pass me the cushion." Ryuge passed the cushion to Rinzai, who took it and hit Ryuge with it. Ryuge said, "If you strike me, I will let you. But after all, there is no meaning in Bodhidharma's coming from the West."

Engo's Introduction

Range upon range of mountain peaks, rock faces, and cliffs all deliver their profound sermons. If you stop to think, you will be bewildered. Let a man of great strength appear, overturn the great sea, kick over Mount Sumeru, shout and disperse the white clouds, break up the empty sky, and with each "ki" and every "kyo" shut the mouths of all other men: such a man will be truly incomparable. Has ever a man been so wonderful?

Verse

Dragon Mountain, the dragon has no eye.
Still waters don't impart the ancient Way.
If the board and cushion don't benefit you,
Hand them over to me.
(I have not yet exhausted this, hence another verse.)
Even if they are given to me, it's useless.
Not for me to sit like the patriarch.
Beautiful, the evening clouds,
Endless, the distant hills, blue upon blue, peak upon peak!