Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 98 – Zen Master Tempyo «Two Wrongs!»

The Case

When zen master Tempyo went on a pilgrimage visiting teachers, he stayed with Sai-in. He always said, "Don't say you understand Zen. I find no one who can speak on it." One day Sai-in heard him and called, "Ju-i [Tempyo's personal name]!" Tempyo looked up at Sai-in. Sai-in said, "Wrong!" Tempyo walked a few steps away and Sai-in once again said, "Wrong!" Tempyo turned and approached Sai-in, who said, "I have just said, 'Wrong!' Who is wrong? Am I or are you?"

Tempyo said, "I am." Sai-in said, "Wrong!" Tempyo said nothing. Sai-in said, "Stay here this summer and let us discuss the two wrongs." But Tempyo instead left Sai-in, Later, when Tempyo was abbot of his own temple, he said to his disciples, "When I went on a pilgrimage it happened, in the course of events, that I was brought to see Abbot Shim-yo [Sai-in' s other name], who told me twice that I was wrong. It was not then that I was wrong, however, but when I first started south on my pilgrimage. I had already said it was wrong."

Engo's Introduction

During the summer session I have burdened you monks from the five lakes with a great deal of talking. The diamond treasure sword cuts through all complications. Now, after all my instruction, you are left with nothing. Tell me, what is the diamond treasure sword? Lift up your eyes and see the sharpness of the sword in the following.

Verse

Zen people are too often frivolous. They study much, learn much, but to no avail. How deplorable, laughable, is old Tempyo. You say you were wrong to make a pilgrimage. Wrong! Wrong! Sai-in' s good words grow pale beside my "Wrong." Once again Setcho says, "Some monk may come forth and say, 'Wrong!' Can you tell my 'Wrong' from Tempyo's?"