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10. Seizei Alone and Poor

The Gateless Gate ยท 1 passage

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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 already 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 with 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.

Source: Internet Sacred Text Archive, file bud/glg/glg10.htm.

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