15. Tozan's Three Blows

Tozan went to Ummon. Ummon asked him where he had come from.
Tozan said:
  "From Sato village."

Ummon asked:
  "In what temple did you remain for the summer?"

Tozan replied:
  "The temple of Hoji, south of the lake."

Wondering how long Tozan would continue with such factual answers, Ummon asked:
  "When did you leave there?"

Tozan answered:
  "The twenty-fifth of August."

Ummon said:
  "I should give you three blows with a stick, but today I forgive you."

The next day Tozan bowed to Ummon and asked:
  "Yesterday you forgave me three blows. I do not know why you thought me wrong."

Ummon, rebuking Tozan's spiritless responses, said:
  "You are good for nothing. You simply wander from one monastery to another."

Before Ummon's words were ended Tozan was enlightened.

Mumon's Comment:

Ummon fed Tozan good Zen food.
If Tozan can digest it, Ummon may add another member to his family.

In the evening Tozan swam around in a sea of good and bad,
but at dawn Ummon crushed his nut shell. After all, he wasn't so smart.

Now, I want to ask: Did Tozan deserve the three blows? If you say yes, not only Tozan but every one of you deserves them. If you say no, Ummon is speaking a lie. If you answer this question clearly, you can eat the same food as Tozan.

    The lioness teaches her cubs roughly;
    The cubs jump and she knocks them down.
    When Ummon saw Tozan his first arrow was light;
    His second arrow shot deep.

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