Mumonkan - Case 12: Zuigan Calls His Own Master

Zuigan called out to himself every day:
  "Master."
Then he answered himself:
  "Yes, sir."
And after that he added:
  "Become sober." [ Awake. ]
Again he answered:
  "Yes, sir."
He continued:
  "And after that, do not be deceived by others."
He answered:
  "Yes, sir; yes, sir."


Mumon's Comment:

Old Zuigan sells out and buys himself. He is opening a puppet show. He uses
one mask to call `Master' and another that answers the master.

Another mask says `Sober up' and another, `Don't be cheated by others.' If
anyone clings to any of his masks, he is mistaken, yet if he imitates
Zuigan, he will make himself fox-like.

    Some Zen students do not realize the true man in a mask
    Because they recognize ego-soul.
    Ego-soul is the seed of birth and death,
    And foolish people call it the true man.    [ true man = true self ]