[FN#82] The priest belonging to Shin Shu, who are generally rich.

7.  The Manliness of the Zen Monk and of the Samurai.

Thirdly, both the Zen monk and the Samurai were distinguished by their manliness and dignity in manner, sometimes amounting to rudeness.  This is due partly to the hard discipline that they underwent, and partly to the mode of instruction.  The following story,[FN#83] translated by Mr. D. Suzuki, a friend of mine, may well exemplify our statement: 

[FN#83] The Journal of the Pali Text Society, 1906-1907.

When Rin-zai[FN#84] was assiduously applying himself to Zen discipline under Obak (Huang Po in Chinese, who died 850), the head monk recognized his genius.  One day the monk asked him how long he had been in the monastery, to which Rin-zai replied:  ‘Three years.’  The elder said:  ’Have you ever approached the master and asked his instruction in Buddhism?’ Rin-zai said:  ’I have never done this, for I did not know what to ask.’  ’Why, you might go to the master and ask him what is the essence of Buddhism?’

[FN#84] Lin Tsi, the founder of the Lin Tsi school.

“Rin-zai, according to this advice, approached Obak and repeated the question, but before he finished the master gave him a slap.

“When Rin-zai came back, the elder asked how the interview went.  Said Rin-zai:  ’Before I could finish my question the master slapped me, but I fail to grasp its meaning.’  The elder said:  ’You go to him again and ask the same question.’  When he did so, he received the same response from the master.  But Rin-zai was urged again to try it for the third time, but the outcome did not improve.

“At last he went to the elder, and said ’In obedience to your kind suggestion, I have repeated my question three times, and been slapped three times.  I deeply regret that, owing to my stupidity, I am unable to comprehend the hidden meaning of all this.  I shall leave this place and go somewhere else.’  Said the elder:  ’If you wish to depart, do not fail to go and see the master to say him farewell.’

“Immediately after this the elder saw the master, and said:  ’That young novice, who asked about Buddhism three times, is a remarkable fellow.  When he comes to take leave of you, be so gracious as to direct him properly.  After a hard training, he will prove to be a great master, and, like a huge tree, he will give a refreshing shelter to the world.’

“When Rin-zai came to see the master, the latter advised him not to go anywhere else, but to Dai-gu (Tai-yu) of Kaoan, for he would be able to instruct him in the faith.

“Rin-zai went to Dai-gu, who asked him whence he came.  Being informed that he was from Obak, Dai-gu further inquired what instruction he had under the master.  Rin-zai answered:  ’I asked him three times about the essence of Buddhism, and he slapped me three times.  But I am yet unable to see whether I had any fault or not.’  Dai-gu said:  ’Obak was tender-hearted even as a dotard, and you are not warranted at all to come over here and ask me whether anything was faulty with you.’