Moku-Gen1 was never known to smile until his last day on earth. When his time came to pass away he to his faithful ones, "You studied under me for more than ten years. Show me your real interpretation of Zen. Whoever expresses this most clearly shall be my successor, and receive my robe and bowl."
Everyone watched Moku-Gen's severe face, but no one answered.
En-Cho2, a disciple who had been with his teacher for a long time, moved near the bedside. He pushed forward the medicine cup a few inches.
This was his answer to the command.
The teachers's face becomes even more severe.
"Is that all you understand?" he asked.
En-Cho reached out and moved the cup back again.
A beautiful smile broke over the features of Moku-Gen. "You rascal," he told En-Cho. "You worked with me ten years and have not yet seen my whole body. Take the robe and bowl. They belong to you."
Notes:
Commentary by Hogen Bays, Roshi of the Great Vow Zen Monastery
1. Moku-Gen
2. En-Cho