Xiangyan was once asked by a monastic, "What is the Way?"
Xiangyan said, "A dragon singing in a withered tree."
The monastic said, "What does it mean?"
Xiangyan said, "Eyeballs in a skull."
Later, another monastic asked Shishuang Chuyuan, "What is a dragon singing in a dead tree?"
Shishuang said, "It still has joy."
—Xuedou's verse commentary on Blue Cliff Record Case 2
PZI Zen Online Audio: Seeing the crimson peach blossoms across a canyon, after seeking for 30 years, a teacher is enlightened. John Tarrant’s Meditation & Dharma Talk, plus comments from participants. As recorded April 19, 2020.
