Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 75 – Zen Master Ukyu’s “Unfair Blows”

The Case

A monk came from zen master Joshu's assembly to Ukyo, who said to him, "What do you find in Joshu's teaching? Is there anything different from what you find here?" The monk said "Nothing different." Ukyo said "If there is nothing different why don't you go back there?" and he hit him with his stick. The monk said, "If your stick had eyes to see, you would not strike me like that." Ukyo said, "Today I have come across a monk," and he gave him three more blows. The monk went out.

Ukyo called after him and said, "One may receive unfair blows." The monk turned back and said, "To my regret, the stick is in your hand." Ukyo said, "If you need it, I will let you have it." The monk went up to Ukyo, seized his stick, and gave him three blows with it. Ukyo said, "Unfair blows! Unfair blows!" The monk said, "One may receive them." Ukyo said, "I hit this one too casually." The monk made bows. Ukyo said, "Master! Is that how you take leave?" The monk laughed aloud and went out. Ukyo said, "That's it! That's it!"

Engo's Introduction

The sacred sword (logos, living word) is ever in hand: death-dealing and life-giving. It Is there it, it is here, simultaneously giving and taking. If you want to hold fast, you are free to hold fast. If you want to let go, you are free to let go. Tell me how it will be when one makes no distinction between host and guest, and is indifferent to which role one takes up.

Verse

Easy to call the snakes, hard to scatter them. How splendid they crossed swords! Although the sea is deep, it can be drained; The kalpa stone is hard, but wears away. Old Ukyu! Old Ukyu! Who is there like you? To give the stick to another - That was truly thoughtless!