Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 8 – Zen Master Suigan’s Eyebrows

The Case

Zen Master Suigan, at the end of the summer session, spoke to the assembly and said, "During the summer session I have talked to you a great deal. Now, look! Has Suigan any eyebrows?" Hofuku said, "He who commits theft has a guilty conscience." Chokei said, "They have grown." Ummon said ''Kan!"

Engo's Introduction

The enlightened man enjoys perfect freedom in active life. He is like a dragon supported by deep waters or like a tiger that commands its mountain retreat. The man who is not enlightened drifts about in the affairs of the world. He is like a ram that gets its horns caught in a fence or like a man who waits for a hare to run against a tree stump and stun itself.

The enlightened man's words are sometimes like a lion crouched to spring, sometimes like the Diamond King's treasure sword. Sometimes their effect is to shut the mouths of the world famed ones, sometimes it is as if they simply follow the waves coming one after another. When the enlightened man meets others who are enlightened, then friend meets friend. He values them, and they encourage each other.

When he meets those who are adrift in the world, then teacher meets disciple. His way of dealing with such people is farsighted. He stands firm before them, like a thousand-fathom cliff. Therefore it is said that the Way of the absolute is manifest everywhere: it has no fixed rules and regulations. The teacher sometimes makes a blade of grass stand for the golden-faced Buddha, sixteen feet high, and sometimes makes the golden-faced Buddha, sixteen feet high, stand for a blade of grass. Tell me, on what principle is all this based? Do you understand?

Verse

Suigan' s words! Unanswerable in thousands of years. Ummon's ''Kan!'' Losing his money, committing a crime. Dotard Hofuku! Was he nimble or did he mumble? Long-tongued Suigan Definitely a thief Flawless is the jewel! Who can appraise the priceless? Chokei knew well! He said, ''They have grown.''