The Case
Zen master Basho said to his disciples, ''If you have a staff, I will give you a staff. If you have no staff, I will take it from you."
Mumon's Comment
lt helps me wade across a river when the bridge is down. It accompanies me to the village on a
moonless night. If you call it a staff, you will enter hell like an arrow.
Verse
The depths and shallows of the world Are all in its grasp. It supports the heavens and sustains the earth. Everywhere, it enhances the doctrine.