40. Tipping Over A Water Vase
Hyakujo wished to send a monk to open a new monastery. He told his pupils that whoever answered a question most ably would be appointed. Placing a water vase on the ground, he asked: "Who can say what this is without calling its name?"

The chief monk said: "No one can call it a wooden shoe."

Isan, the cooking monk, tipped over the vase with his foot and went out.

Hyakujo smiled and said: "The chief monk loses." And Isan became the master of the new monastery.

Mumon’s comment: Isan was brave enough, but he could not escape Hyakujo's trick. After all, he gave up a light job and took a heavy one. Why, can't you see, he took off his comfortable hat and placed himself in iron stocks.

Giving up cooking utensils,
Defeating the chatterbox,
Though his teacher sets a barrier for him
His feet will tip over everything, even the Buddha.

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The Gateless Gate »The Gateless Gate
40. Tipping Over A Water Vase
42. The Girl Comes Out From Meditation »42. The Girl Comes Out From Meditation
49. Amban's Addition »49. Amban's Addition
01. Joshu's Dog »01. Joshu's Dog
02. Hyakujo's Fox »02. Hyakujo's Fox
05. Kyogen Mounts the Tree  »05. Kyogen Mounts the Tree
06. Buddha Twirls a Flower »06. Buddha Twirls a Flower
09. A Buddha Before History »09. A Buddha Before History
18. Tozan's Three Pounds »18. Tozan's Three Pounds
21. Dried Dung »21. Dried Dung
22. Kashapa's Preaching Sign »22. Kashapa's Preaching Sign
23. Do Not Think Good, Do Not Think Not-Good »23. Do Not Think Good, Do Not Think Not-Good
27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things »27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things
30. This Mind Is Buddha »30. This Mind Is Buddha
32. A Philosopher Asks Buddha »32. A Philosopher Asks Buddha
33. This Mind Is Not Buddha »33. This Mind Is Not Buddha
34. Learning Is Not The Path »34. Learning Is Not The Path
38. An Oak Tree In The Garden »38. An Oak Tree In The Garden
39. Ummon's Sidetrack »39. Ummon's Sidetrack
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