Instruction:

One who can act freely on the road is like a tiger that has climbed to the mountains; one who flows along with worldly logic is like a monkey in a cage. If you wish to know the truth of Buddha nature you must take notice of times and causes. If you wish to forge pure gold that has been refined a hundred times it must be done with the furnace and bellows of a true master. But tell me, when the great function is revealed, what can be taken to test it?

Case:

A monk asked Unmon, "What is the pure and clear Dharma-body?" Unmon said, "Kayakuran [flowering hedge]!" The monk said, "How is it when one goes on that way?" Unmon said, "A golden-haired lion."

Verse:

Flowering hedge. Don't look so stupid!

The pointer is on the scale arm, not on the measuring pan.

"… When one goes on that way…" – what a foolish thing to say!

A golden-haired lion. Everybody look!

Links:

List of posted koans, and introduction to Hekiganroku

Extended commentary on verse, case and introduction.