Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 92 – The World-honored One Takes His Seat!

The Case

The World-honored One one day took his seat on the platform. Manjusri struck the table with the gavel and said, "Clearly understand the Lord of Law, the Lord of the Law is like this." The World-honored One descended from his seat.

Engo's Introduction

One string is plucked, and he discerns the whole tune. Such insight is hardly to be met with even in a thousand years. Like a hawk pursuing the hare, he at once demonstrates his superiority. He embodies all the teachings in one phrase, encompasses the thousand great worlds in a single grain of dust. Can any of you go with him, living the same life and dying the same death? Can you testify to the truth by going through and through it yourself?

Verse

The brilliant ones among the constellation know the Lord of Dharma's Law is not like this. Had Saindhava been there, Manjusri need not have struck with the gavel.