Later, Issan requested Gyosan, “Why did Rinzai snatch the hoe out of Obaku’s hand?”
Gyosan stated, “The robber was a wastrel, however in knowledge he prevailed over the noble man.”
Commentary:
‘The robber was a wastrel’ signifies that if we’re deluded by the expedient behaviour that Rinzai, the robber used to disclose the true-Self, he will be taken for a wastrel who’s rude and ignorant, however that in reality, the knowledge wherein he prevailed over the noble man is hidden in his behaviour.
Pupil: “What’s the knowledge hidden in Rinzai’s behaviour?”
Grasp: “It’s hidden in your behaviour as nicely.”
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All photographs ©Simon Hathaway