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Reddit Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/116v10p/the_revenge_of_zhaozhous_tree/
Post Summary:
Master Zhaozhou said,
This matter is clearly evident - even immeasurably great people can't get out of here.
When I went to Guishan, I saw a monk ask, "What is the meaning of the Chan founder's coming from the West?" Guishan said, "Bring me a chair." If one is a real Chan master one has to deal with people on the basis of one's own state.
At that time a certain monk asked, "What is the meaning of the Chan founder's coming from the West?"
Zhaozhou said, "The cypress tree in the yard."
The monk said, "Don't use objects to teach people."
Zhaozhou said, "I'm not using objects to teach people."
"So what is the meaning of the Chan founder's coming from the West?"
"The cypress tree in the yard."
Later Fayan asked Master Guangxiao Jiao, "Where have you come from most recently?"
Jiao said, "Zhaozhou."
Fayan said, "I hear Zhaozhou has a saying, the cypress tree in the yard. Is this so?"
Jiao said, "No."
Fayan said, "Everyone who passes through here says a monk asked Zhaozhou what the meaning of the Chan founder's coming from the West is, and Zhaozhou said, The cypress tree in the yard. How can you deny this?
Jiao said, "The late teacher really said no such thing. Please don't slander the late teacher."
Zen Teaching: Recorded Sayings of Joshu (Zhaozhou)
Post Cast Overview: three people test
Zen Lineage: www.reddit.com/r/zen/wiki/getstarted
