Instruction:

Passing beyond gradations and totally transcending skillful means. Activity and activity mutually mingle while phrase fits with phrase. If you do not enter the gate of great freedom and gain the activity of great freedom, what will you take to weigh the Buddhas or to divine and mirror the fundamental vehicle? Just tell me. When one can directly cut upon meeting the activity and act with total freedom with both the rebellious and submission, how will one be able to say the world to leave the body? To test, I bring this up. Look!

Case:

A monk asked Unmon, „What is atom-by-atom samadhi?"

Unmon said: „Rice in the bucket, water in the pail?"

Verse:

Rice in the bucket, water in the pail.

Even loquacious monks find it hard to put in a world.

Northern Dipper and Southern Cross.

There is no vying for position.

White waves billow up to the heavens and fall upon flat land.

Trying, not trying.

Stopping, not stopping.

Each one is the rich man’s son who lacks a shirt for his back.

List of posted koans, and introduction to Hekiganroku