today on tortoise mountain

 

Yantou and Xuefeng

were snowed in on Tortoise Mountain.

Day after day, Yantou slept while Xuefeng sat up

and meditated. On the third day, Yantou sat

up too and said, “Get some sleep.

What do you think you are,

roadside shrine?”

 

Xuefeng touched his chest

and said, “My heart isn’t at peace.

I can’t fool myself.” Yantou gave a great yell.

“HAAA! Don’t you know that the family treasure

doesn’t come in through the gate?” he said.

“Let the teaching flow out from your

own breast to cover the sky

and the earth.”

 

Xuefeng was suddenly

enlightened and cried out,

“Today Tortoise Mountain 

has finally awakened!”

 

The Blue Cliff Record, Case 22