Daily Zen Quote - July 9, 2013

Rinzai went to a feast accompanied by Fuke, a mysterious figure sometimes thought of as a divine fool, other times a supernatural presence. While they were eating, Rinzai presented Fuke with a koan: "A hair swallows the vast ocean, a mustard seed contains Mount Sumeru. Does this happen by means of otherworldly powers, or is the whole body like this?" Fuke responded by kicking the table.
     "Ruffian!" Rinzai cried.
     "What place is this to speak of rough and refined?" Fuke replied.
     The next day they went to another meal from a supporter, and Rinzai said:
"How does this meal compare with yesterday's?" Fuke kicked over the table again.
      "You certainly understand, but you're still a ruffian," Rinzai said admiringly.
      Fuke replied: "You blind man! How can you preach roughness and refinement in the Buddhadharma?"

~Zen Mondo