Zen Master Enkan "The Rhinoceros Fan"

The Case

Zen master Enkan one day called to his attendant and said, "Bring me the rhinoceros fan." The attendant said, "The fan has been broken." Enkan said, "If the fan is broken, bring the rhinoceros to me." The attendant made no reply.

Tosu [at a later time, speaking in place of the attendant] said, "I would not refuse to bring it out, but I fear the head and horns would not be perfect."

[Setcho says, "I want that imperfect one."]

Sekiso said, "If I return it to you, there will be no more of it."

[Setcho says, "There is still the rhinoceros."]

Shifuku drew a circle and wrote the character for "ox" in it.

[Setcho says, "Why didn't you bring it out earlier?"]

Hofuku said, "My master, you have grown old; employ someone else to attend you."

[Setcho says, "Long labor lost."]

Engo's Introduction

Transcend delusive attachments, deceptive ideas, and all kinds of entanglements. Proclaim the marvelous teachings and uphold the precious treasury of the true Dharma. Secure the free command of the ten directions and the perfect serenity of the eight dimensions. Let the land of peace be realized. Now, tell me, is there anyone who will go hand in hand with the Buddha, testifying to the same realization, living the same life and dying the same death? See the following example.

Verse

You have long used the rhinoceros fan. If asked, however, you know nothing of it. Infinite, the cool breeze, and the head and horns. Like clouds and rain which have passed, it cannot be captured.

(Setcho again said, "If you want the cool breeze to return and the head and horns to be regained, each of you say a turning word." And he said, "If the fan is broken, bring the rhinoceros to me." Then a monk came forward and said, "You monks, go back to the meditation hall." Setcho said, "I wanted to catch a giant whale, but only a toad came up." And he descended from the rostrum.)