Seizei Alone and Poor
A monk named Seizei asked of Sozan: `Seizei is alone and poor. Will
you give him support?'
Sozan asked: `Seizei?'
Seizei responded: `Yes, sir.'
Sozan said: `You have Zen, the best wine in China, and alrady have
finished three cups, and still you are saying that they did not even
wet your lips.'
Mumon's Comment: Seizei overplayed his hand. Why was it so?
Because Sozan had eyes and knew whom to deal. Even so, I want to ask:
At what point did Seizei drink wine?
The poorest man in China,
The bravest man in China,
He barely sustains himself,
Yet wishes to rival the wealthiest.
A Zen koan from the classic collection The Gateless Gate.
Original transcription by Ben Walter and Adam Fuller of iBiblio.