Master Ma Is Unwell (BCR3)

KOAN:

Ancestor Ma was sick. The superintendent of the monastery asked him, “How have you been feeling these days?” 
The Ancestor said, “Sun Face Buddha, Moon Face Buddha.”

—Blue Cliff Record Case 3 (translation by John Tarrant & Joan Sutherland, titled Ma’s Sun Face, Moon Face Buddha)

Sun Face Buddha, Moon Face Buddha
What kind of people where the ancient emperors!
For twenty years I have struggled fiercely;
How many times have I gone down to the Blue Dragon’s Cave for you?
This distress is worth recounting;
Clear-eyed bodhisattvas should not take it lightly.

—Xuedou’s Commentary on BCR Case 3