The student came up to the master. “This thing you call Tao,” he said, throwing wide his arms. “Where does it exist?” The master stood for a moment then pointed to a steaming pile of ox manure at his feet. “It is there,” he said.
The student asked the master, “Master, what is the true meaning of Tao?” The master raised his staff and the student gave a shout. The master then struck his student with the staff.
A student asked the master, “I do not ask you anything about pointing, what is the moon?” The master asked back, “Who is not asking about pointing?” Another student asked, “I do not ask you about the moon, what is pointing?” The master answered, “The moon.” The student then said, “I asked about pointing, why did you speak of the moon?” The master answered, “Because you asked about pointing.”
A student once asked Hsiang Yen, “What is Tao?” Hsiang Yen replied, “A dragon hums inside a withered log.”
The student came to the master and said, “Please help me to quiet my mind.” The master answered, “Bring me your mind and I promise I will help you.” The student stood there for a moment and then said, “But Master, I cannot seem to find it.” “Ah,” replied the master, “then I already quieted it.”
TRADITIONAL
The Tao is hidden by partial understanding.
The true meaning of words is hidden
by flowery rhetoric.
CHUANG TZU