{"collection":"Buddhism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bud/glg/glg15.htm","path":"bud/glg/glg15.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bud/glg/glg15.htm","text":"The Gateless Gate, by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934]\nTozan went to Ummon. Ummon asked him where he had come from.\nTozan said: \"From Sato village.\"\nUmmon asked: \"In what temple did you remain for the summer?\"\nTozan replied: \"The temple of Hoji, south of the lake.\"\n\"When did you leave there?\" asked Ummon, wondering how long Tozan would continue with such factual answers.\n\"The twenty-fifth of August,\" answered Tozan.\nUmmon said: \"I should give you three blows with a stick, but today I forgive you.\"\nThe next day Tozan bowed to Ummon and asked: \"Yesterday you forgave me three blows. I do not know why you thought me wrong.\"\nUmmon, rebuking Tozan's spiritless responses, said: \"You are good for nothing. You simply wander from one monastery to another.\"\nBefore Ummon's words were ended Tozan was enlightened.\nMumon's comment: Ummon fed Tozan good Zen food. If Tozan can digest it, Ummon may add another member to his family.\nIn 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.\nNow, 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.","title":"The Gateless Gate: 15. Tozan's Three Blows","type":"page"}