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151. "Where did Bodhisdharma go when he died," Asked a student? "He didn't go anywhere," Said old Risu. "You are sitting on his bones." 152. "What is it when Buddha comes here," Asked Hokawa? "Draught! Draught !" Shouted the sensei. 153. A student said, "I don't know about day or night." Sensei said, "interesting." The student said, "not helpful." Sensei said, "bent arrow." The student said, "what about Day and night you old fraud?" Oh no, he recognized me," Said old Risu laughing. 154. "If I give you a cup of tea," Said a student, "And one to Buddha, Which of you would finish first?" "Shut up and get out," Yelled old Risu! 155. "Have you ever seen ordinary mind," Asked Hokawa? "I do not imagine so," said the sensei. "Then what is ordinary mind," Asked Hokawa? Old Risu rang her out. 156. An old beggar asked, "What do you teach on a normal day?" Old Risu drew a line onthe ground with his stick. "If I cross this then what," Said the old beggar?" "Another ordinary day," said the sensei. 157. A student said, "I can recite the sutras Standing on my head." Old Risu paled and said, "Please don't do that. You're much too fat." 158. The sensei told his attendant, "If a thought does not arise What are you doing here?" "Teach me," said the attendant. "Much too late for that," Said old Risu. 159. A student said, "When I left home I closed the door." Old Risu smiled and said, ""When I left home I opened the door." 160. "What is true Dharma mind As you conceive it," asked Hokawa? "Stop! Stop! I'll put the kettle on," Said old Risu. 161. A student asked, "What is the one word?" The sensei said quietly, "That's five words." 162. Old Risu said, "If you recognize your teacher You would all be dead. Wavering weeds." 163. "What mind did Bodhidharma Bring from the West," Asked a new student? "A traveling bag full of old clothes," Said old Risu. 164. A visiting priest asked, "What sort of tea do you serve When a fellow traveler along the Way arrives?" "Ah, you've noticed," Said old Risu. 165. A student asked, "How can I know a great men?" Old Risu sat down And faced the wall. 166. A visitor asked old Risu, "Tell me about your Dharma." "Drink a cup of tea," said the sensei. Setting aside his cup the visitor said, "Now tell me about your Dharma." "Drink a cup of tea," said the sensei. "I've had enough tea," said the visitor, "Tell me about your Dharma." "If you are full you understand," Said the sensei. 167. Old Risu asked his attendant, "What is your true self?" The attendant farted. "Now you've got it," Said the sensei. 168. Old Risu asked Dokyo Chozen, "Show me your true face Master." The old priest sat down And died. 169. "I am just a priest," Said old Risu. "What is just a priest," asked his student? "Sawdust," Said the sensei. 170. Mist and rain, Pond and sea, All one From moment to moment. 171. One day a student asked, " Sensei, why are you hanging from a tree branch?" Old Risu said, "holding on." "But sensei what about attachment?" Old Risu put the branch In his other hand saying, "Letting go." 172. No stone bridge Can be built with hands. But the mind, Ah ! 173. A small monkey Eats the leftover rice Spilled from a sack Yesterday. 174. To truly taste the wind, I rose early, Sandals in hand. Hushing myself. 175. A thousand lifetimes And here I am Watching the moon Cavorting with crickets. Hope you enjoy them all. Gassho and metta, T.S. |
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