Shoyoroku - Case 28: Gokoku's "Three Disgraces"

A monk asked Gokoku,
  "How about when a crane perches on a withered pine tree?"
Gokoku said,
  "It is a disgrace when seen from the ground."
The monk asked,
  "What about when every drop of water is frozen at once?"
Gokoku said,
  "It's a disgrace after the sun has risen."
The monk asked,
  "At the time of the Esho Persecution [1], where did the good Guardian
   Deities [2] of the Dharma go?"
Gokoku said,
  "It is a disgrace for the two of them on both sides of the temple gate."

[1]: Buddhism was suppressed by order of Emperor Bu (about 840).
[2]: Nio-figures representing the two Deva kings on each side of the main gate
     of a Buddhist temple. They are considered to be protectors of the Dharma.
