The Blue Cliff Record, Case 6
Ummon's every day is a good day
The Main Case
Ummon said, "I don't ask you about before the fifteenth day, try to make a statement about after the fifteenth day." He himself replied, "Every day is a good day"
Commentary
Tenkei's comment on the case: Before the fifteenth of the month, theres the bright sun and the blue sky with nothing to ask and nothing to say. After the fifteenth too, theres also the bright sun and the blue sky with nothing to ask and nothing to say. Even so, if that were all there is to it, our heritage would end, the way of Zen would be destroyed and this is what is meant by the stagnant water of transcendence.
Verse
Throwing away one, he picks up seven.
Above, below, in the four directions, none can match.
Placidly walking along he treads down the sound of the flowing stream.
His relaxed gaze decries the tracks of flying birds.
Grasses grow thick. Mists overhang.
Round Zibutti's cliff, the flowers make a mess.
Voidness is lamentable.
Don't make a move.
If you move you get thirty blows.
