Mokugen was famous for never smiling until his very last hour on earth.
When the time came to die, he said to his faithful disciples:
— You studied with me for more than 10 years. Show me how you understand Zen. The one who expresses this most clearly will become my successor and receive my robe and cup.
Everyone looked at Mokugen's stern face and did not answer.
Engyo, a student who had been next to the teacher for a very long time, stood next to him. He pushed the medicine cup forward a few inches. This was his answer.
The teacher's face became even stern.
“And that’s all you understand?” he asked.
Engyo took the cup and pushed it back again.
A beautiful smile lit up Mokguyen's face.
“Oh, you swindler,” he said to Engyo. “You worked with me for 10 years and still haven’t seen all of me.” Take my robe and cup. They belong to you.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru