Instruction:

As for greatness, there is no boundary; as for minuteness it is as if it were next to emptiness. Grasping and setting free are not in someone else; rolling up and spreading out are in me. If you by all means want to rid yourself of what sticks and remove all fetters, straight off you must erase the traces and swallow your voice. Each person will sever the point of essence by sitting, and each one will be a thousand-foot cliff. Tell me, whose state of consciousness is this? I will try to present such a case, look!

Case:

Seppô, instructing the assembly, said, "There's a poisonous snake on the South Mountain. All of you should look at it carefully!" Chôkei said, "Today in the Zen hall there is a great one who has lost his body and life."

A monk told this to Gensha, who said, "Only Elder Brother Ryô could say something like that. However, I wouldn't talk like that." The monk asked, "What then would you say, Master"? Gensha replied, "Why does it have to be 'the southern side of the mountain'?"

Unmon threw his staff down in front of Seppô and acted frightened.

Verse:

Elephant-bone Rock is too high for people to reach;

Whosoever gets there must be a skilled handler of snakes.

Master Ryô and Master Bi cannot do anything.

Is there anyone at all who has lost body and life?

Shôyô knows and sweeps the grass again;

North, south, east, west – it is nowhere to be found.

Suddenly the staff sticks out;

It hurls itself at Seppô, mouth open wide;

It opens its mouth wide, quickly like a flash of lightning,

If you raise your eyebrows, you will not see it.

It's hidden now before Breast Peaks;

Those who come, look at each maneuver.

The master shouts loudly: "Look under your feet!"

Links:

Introductory post to Hekiganroku

List of posted koans.

Extended commentary on verse, case and introduction.