Zen students are with their masters at least ten years before they
presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed
his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy,
so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him
Nan-in remarked: “I suppose you left your wooden clogs in the vestibule.
I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or left side of the
clogs.”
Tenno, confused, had no instant answer. He realized that he was
unable to carry his Zen every minute. He became Nan-in’s pupil, and he
studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen.
from Collection of Stone and Sand
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