Changsha Wandering in the Mountains (BCR36)

KOAN:

One day Changsha went wandering in the mountains. When he returned, the head of practice met him at the gate and asked, “Where have you been?”
“Wandering in the mountains.”
“Where did you go?”
“I went out following scented grasses and returned chasing falling blossoms.” “That’s so much the feeling of spring,” said the head of practice.
“Still, it’s better than autumn dew dripping on lotus flowers,” said Changsha.

Xuedou comments: “Thanks for your reply.”

—Blue Cliff Record Case 36 (transl. by John Tarrant & Joan Sutherland)