Jinniu Dances Before the Meal (BCR74)

KOAN:

Every day at mealtime, Jinniu himself would take the buckets of rice to the front of the monastery hall, where he’d dance and laugh heartily, saying, “Bodhisattvas, come and eat your food!” 

(Xuedou comments: Jinniu wasn’t being kindhearted.) 

Later, a student asked Changqing, “In the old days someone said, “Bodhisattvas, come and eat your food!” What did he mean?”

Changqing replied, “That’s a blessing for the meal.”

—Blue Cliff Record Case 74

(transl. John Tarrant & Joan Sutherland)