Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 26 – Zen Master Hyakujo Sits on the Great Sublime Peak

The Case

A monk asked zen master Hyakujo, "What is the mostwonderful thing?" Hyakujo said, "I sit alone on this Great Sublime Peak." The monk made a bow. Hyakujo struck him.

Verse

Across the patriarch's field went galloping
The heavenly horse, Baso's successor,
Different, however, in way of teaching,
In holding fast and letting go.
His actions were quick as lightning,
Always fitting.
The monk came to tweak the tiger's whiskers,
But his efforts made him a laughingstock.