The Transmission of the Zen Lamp

One day, when the monastery’s monks were working in the fields, Huangbo picked up a hoe and noticed Linji trailing behind him empty-handed. “Where’s your hoe?” he called. Linji replied, “Someone took it.” Huangbo said, “Come here. I’d like to talk over something with you.” Linji stepped forward. Huangbo stuck the hoe upright in the ground and said, “This is it. No one in the world has ever stood a hoe upright like this.” It’s plain Huangbo was using the hoe as a metaphor for the transmission of the Zen lamp. Linji caught Huangbo’s meaning at once. He snatched the hoe, planted it upright in the ground, and said, “Why is it in my hands now?” This too is symbolic: it shows the authority to transmit the Dharma has passed into his hands. Huangbo stepped back and said to the gathered monks, “Today there’s someone to lead your work for you.” It was clear he had recognized Linji as ready to take his place, and could finally retire without worry. Another day in the fields, Linji was digging when he saw Huangbo approaching. He straightened up and leaned against his hoe. Huangbo, looking to test him, said, “This fellow must be tired.” “I haven’t even lifted this hoe once,” Linji replied, “so how could I be tired?” Huangbo raised his staff to strike, but Linji grabbed the end of it, shoved it back hard, and knocked Huangbo to the ground. Huangbo called to a monk standing nearby to help him up. The monk said, “Master, how can you let this madman be so rude!” After Huangbo got to his feet, he struck that monk. Why?