Nanquan’s Body (1) – Zen Fools

Nanquan said to the assembly, “I am going to sell my body. Is there anyone who will buy it?”
A monk stepped forward from the crowd and said, “I will buy it.”
Nanquan said, “It is neither expensive nor cheap. How will you buy it?”
The monk was silent.

Student: “What would you have said if you had been the monk’s shoes?”
Master: “I would have said that I wouldn’t accept it even for nothing.”

Commentary:
What can be sold and bought is not a holy thing.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway