Jade Elephant
KOAN:
Blossoms on withered tree—a spring outside of time;
riding backwards on a jade elephant, chasing a dragon deer with wings.
– Dongshan (from a poem)
A great minister asked, "I've been reading the sutras—what is meant by, 'A fierce wind has blown the ship off course, setting it drifting toward the land of the Rakshasas'?"
The teacher responded, "Why ask something like that?"
The great minister's face went pale with that response.
And the teacher repeated, "A fierce wind has blown the ship off course, setting it drifting toward the land of the Rakshasas!"
The minister understood.
—Entangling Vines Case 42
KOAN:
Blossoms on withered tree—a spring outside of time;
riding backwards on a jade elephant, chasing a dragon deer with wings.
– Dongshan (from a poem)