dialogue

The Rhinoceros Fan

Blue Cliff Record

Tang Dynasty

Traditionally attributed

Text

One day Yanguan called to his attendant, "Bring me the rhinoceros-horn fan." The attendant said, "The fan is broken." Yanguan said, "If the fan is broken, then bring me the rhinoceros!" The attendant had no reply. Xuansha later commented: "I can bring the rhinoceros. But the trouble is, there is only the horn, and there is no rhinoceros." Yunmen held up his staff and said, "Here is the rhinoceros."

Attribution

Lineage: Nanyue line

By Yanguan Qian

From Blue Cliff Record

Sources

  • contentZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation

    Zen project editorial

    Blue Cliff Record, Case 91; Jingde Chuandenglu, Yanguan chapter

    Blue Cliff Record: The Rhinoceros Fan