Dingzhou Shizang [W-G: Ting-chou Shih-tsang / Joshu Sekiso]

Dingzhou Shizang was crossing a bridge one day at the same time as a group of three Buddhist scholars. The scholars recognized from his robe that Dingzhou was a Zen monk, and one of them asked him: “It’s said that the river of Zen is deep and that its bottom must be sounded. What does that mean?”

Without hesitation, Dingzhou took hold of the questioner and would have thrown him into the river if the two companions had not intervened.

“If your friends hadn’t rescued you,” Dingzhou told the man, “I would have let you sound the bottom of the river for yourself.”

Zen Masters of China: 224, 244

The Story of Zen: 151-52

Qinshan Wensui [W-G: Ch’in-shan Wen-sui / J: Kinzan Bunsui]

Before they studied with Deshan, Yantou Xuanjian, Qinshan Wensui, and Xuefeng Yicun studied with Dongshan Liangjie. On one occasion the three were practicing zazen together when the master brought them tea. Qinshan’s eyes were closed, and he didn’t notice that tea was being served. Dongshan asked him, “Where are you?”

“I’ve entered samadhi,” Qinshan replied.

“Samadhi has no gate, so how can you have entered it?” Dongshan asked.

Zen Masters of China: 235-36

Xuefeng Yicun [W-G: Hsueh-feng I-ts'un / J: Seppo Gison]

Because it had taken him a long time to reach awakening, Xuefeng Yicun was a patient and conscientious teacher with his own students. At the height of his career, he was reputed to have had 1500 monks in his temple.  One of these once asked him, “What did you receive from Deshan?”

“I came to Master Deshan with empty hands, and I left with empty hands,” he replied.

Zen Masters of China: 235-40, 245, 271-72

The Story of Zen: 196