“When you ride in a boat and watch the shore, you might assume that the shore is moving. But when you keep your eyes closely on the boat, you can see that the boat moves. Similarly, if you examine many things with a confused mind, you might suppose that your mind and nature are permanent. But when you practice intimately and return to where you are, it will be clear that there is nothing that has unchanging self.”

Dogen

A monk asked Kyôzan, “Your Reverence, do you know letters or not?”

Kyôzan said, “According to my capacity.”

The monk immediately turned around once clockwise and said, “What letter is this?” Kyôzan drew the ideograph for “10” [ + ] in the earth.

The monk turned himself around once counter-clockwise and said, “What letter is that?”

Kyôzan modified the sign” + ” into a swastika [卍].

The monk drew a circle in the air and lifted his two palms like Asura vigorously holding the sun and moon and said, “What letter is that?”

Kyôzan immediately drew a circle enclosing the swastika. The monk at once represented

the vigor of a Rucika.

Kyôzan said, “Good, good. Keep it with care.”