CASE 85: The National Teacher’s Gravestone

Emperor Shukusô asked Chû, the national teacher, “What would you wish me to do after a hundred years?”

The national teacher said, “Make a seamless gravestone for this old monk.”

The emperor said, “I should like to ask you, master, for a design.”

The national teacher remained silent for a long time.

Then he said, “Did you understand?”

The emperor said, “I didn’t understand anything.”

The national teacher said, “I have a Dharma successor, my disciple Tangen, who is well versed with this matter.”

Afterwards the emperor called Tangen and asked him about the meaning of this.

Tangen responded:
“The south of the river, north of the lake:
In between there’s gold, which fills the whole land.
Under the shadowless tree all people are in one boat;
In the crystal palace there is no one who knows.”