Tekst piosenki
15. Tozan’s Three Blows
Tozan went to Ummon. Ummon asked him where he had come from.
Tozan said: „From Sato village.”
Ummon asked: „In what temple did you remain for the summer?”
Tozan replied: „The temple of Hoji, south of the lake.”
„When did you leave there?” asked Ummon, wondering how long Tozan would continue with such factual answers.
„The twenty-fifth of August,” answered Tozan.
Ummon said: „I should give you three blows with a stick, but today I forgive you.”
The next day Tozan bowed to Ummon and asked: „Yesterday you forgave me three blows. I do not know why you thought me wrong.”
Ummon, rebuking Tozan’s spiritless responses, said: „You are good for nothing. You simply wander from one monastery to another.”
Before Ummon’s words were ended Tozan was enlightened.
Mumon’s comment: Ummon fed Tozan good Zen food. If Tozan can digest it, Ummon may add another member to his family.
In the evening Tozan swam around in a sea of good and bad, but at dawn Ummon crushed his nut shell. After all, he wasn’t so smart.
Now, I want to ask: Did Tozan deserve the three blows? If you say yes, not only Tozan but every one of you deserves them. If you say no, Ummon is speaking a lie. If you answer this question clearly, you can eat the same food as Tozan.
The lioness teaches her cubs roughly;
The cubs jump and she knocks them down.
When Ummon saw Tozan his first arrow was light;
His second arrow shot deep.
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