Tendo Sokaku

The forty-eighth patriarch was Zen Master Tien-t'ung Tsung-chueh. He was Wu-k'ung's attendant for a long time. One day, Wu-k'ung asked him, "How do you see it these days?" The master said, "Suppose I say that I am like this." Wu-k'ung said, "That's not enough; say some more." The master said, "Why isn't it enough?" Wu-k'ung said, "I didn't say it was not enough, but you aren't familiar with that which is beyond" The master said, "I expressed that which is beyond." Wu-k'ung asked, "What is that which is beyond?" The master said, "Even supposing that I can express that which is beyond, I cannot put it into words for you, master." Wu-k'ung said, "You can't really express it." The master said, "I beg you to say it." Wu-k'ung said, "Ask me, and I'll say it." The master asked, "What is that which is beyond?" Wu-k'ung replied, "Suppose I say that I am not like this." The master was awakened when he heard this, and Wu-k'ung gave his approval.