12. Zuigan Calls Himself Master

Zuigan called out to himself every day:
  "Master."

Then he answered himself:
  "Yes, sir."

And after that he added:
  "Awake, Awake!"

Again he answered:
  "Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir!"

He continued:
  "From now onwards, do not be deceived by others!"

He answered:
  "No, Sir! I will not, Sir!"

Mumon's Comment:

The master, Zuigan, sells out and buys himself. He has a lot of puppets of gods and devils that he plays with. Why is this so? With one mask he asked, and with another he answered. With another mask he said, "Awake!" and another, "Don't be cheated by others!"

If you adhere to any one of these, you are totally mistaken. If, however, you imitate Zuigan, then all these are no other than the fox's disguises.

    Some who search the Way of Zen do not realize true self,
    For they recognize only the ego-soul.
    This ego-soul is the seed of birth and death,
    Foolish people take it for the true original self.