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  Ching-yuan Wei-hsin, a Chinese Ch'an master, once said this:
Thirty years ago, when having not studied Ch'an,
this monk saw mountain was mountains and water was water.
Later, when following the good teacher's guide, this monk... continue...

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RETURNING WITH EMPTY HANDED
Shih-tou Hsi-chien (700-790) was a very well known Chinese Ch'an master.
As a young monk, he was one of the disciples of the Sixth Patriarch Hui-neng.
After Hui-neng passed away, Shih-tou continued his pilgrimage...
He paid a vist to the Great master Hsing-szu at the Ching-yuan mountain.
Hsing-szu asked:
-Where did you come from?
Shih-tou replied:
-From Tsao-chi [referring where Hui-neng resided].
-What did you get at Tsao-chi?
-Before I was at Tsao-chi, I was not lacking anything.
-If so, why were you there?
-If I were not there, how could I know I did not lack anything?


 



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