Mumonkan - Case 20: The Enlightened Man

Shogen asked:
  "Why does the enlightened man not stand on his feet and explain
   himself [stand up for Zen]?"
And he also said:
  "It is not necessary for speech to come from the tongue."


Mumon's Comment:

Shogen spoke plainly enough, but how many will understand? If anyone
comprehends, he should come to my place and test out my big stick. Why,
look here, to test [know] real gold you must see it through fire.

   If the feet of enlightenment moved, the great ocean would overflow;
   If that head bowed, it would look down upon the heavens.
   Such a body has no place to rest....
   Let another continue this poem.

[other traduction:
   Raising my foot I turn upside down the Scented Ocean,
   Bowing my head I look down on the Four Dhyana Heavens.
   Such a body of full strength has no place to rest,
   Please finish this verse yourself! ]
