Shuzan’s Bamboo Spatula
Master Shuzan held out his bamboo spatula and asked, “If you call this a
bamboo spatula, you give umbrage (to the principle of Zen). If you call
this no bamboo spatula, you violate the law (of common-sense). What
will all of you call this?”
The Commentary
Should you call this a bamboo spatula, you would give umbrage. Should
you call this no bamboo spatula, you would betray the law. Both to speak
out will not do, and no word will be of any use either. Quickly say,
quickly say!
The Verse
Bringing out the bamboo spatula,
Shuzan demanded the order of life or death.
Being put to either the umbrage or the betrayal,
Even Buddha and Patriarchs would beg for their lives.
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