Mazu's Salt and Sauce (EV61)

KOAN:

After Mazu Daoyi received the Dharma from Nanyue Huairang, he went to Jiangxi to spread the teachings of the Zen school.

One day Huirang said to a monk, “Mazu is in Jiangxi teaching the Dharma, but there’s been no word from him … go to Mazu’s place, wait until he gives a talk, then ask, ‘How is it?’ Remember what he says and tell me when you come back.”

The monk did as instructed. When he asked, “How is it?” Mazu replied, “It’s been twenty years of getting by, but I’ve never lacked for salt and sauce.”

Huairang approved.

—Entangling Vines Case 61