CASE 80: Suibi and the Chin Rest

Ryûge asked Suibi, “What is the meaning of the Patriarch’s coming from the west?”

Suibi said, “Bring me a chin rest.”

Ryûge brought one and gave it to him.

Suibi took it and hit him.

Ryûge said, “You may hit me as you like. After all there is no meaning to the
Patriarch’s coming from the west.”

Ryûge also asked Rinzai, “What is the meaning of the Patriarch’s coming from the west?”

Rinzai said, “Bring me a sitting cushion.”

Ryûge got one and gave it to Rinzai.

Rinzai took it and hit him.

Ryûge said, “You may hit me as you like. After all there is no meaning to the Patriarch’s coming from the west.”

Later Ryûge became abbot of a temple.

A monk asked him, “Master, at that time, when you asked Suibi and Rinzai about the meaning of the Patriarch’s coming from the west, did they clarify it or not?”

Ryûge said, “They clarified it all right. After all, there is no meaning to
the Patriarch’s coming from the west.”