Sanshō's Golden Fish Through the Net

Engo's commentary on the case

Although Seppō and Sanshō move one out and one in, pressing and crowding one another, victory and defeat have not yet been divided. Tell me: what eye do these two venerable adepts possess? Sanshō received authorization from Rinzai and traveled throughout the regions, everywhere treated as a distinguished guest. See him present this question—how many people cannot feel their way to it? It does not involve principle, nature, or Buddhist doctrine. Instead he asks, “A golden-scaled fish that has passed through the net—what does it take as food?” What is his intent? An ordinary golden fish that has passed the net does not eat fragrant bait. We do not know what it takes as food. Seppō is an adept and acts entirely at ease. He answers with only one or two parts: “Wait until you emerge from the net; then I will tell you.” Fenyang called this a presenting-understanding question. In Dongshan's lineage it is called a borrowing-an-event question. Only one who surpasses peers and kinds, attains great functioning, and has an eye in the crown is called a golden fish that has passed through the net. Yet Seppō is an adept and undeniably diminishes the other person's standing: “Wait until you emerge from the net; then I will tell you.” See how both houses hold fast the frontier, walls standing ten thousand fathoms high. Had it not been Sanshō, this single phrase would already have made departure impossible. But Sanshō too is an adept and can say, “A teacher of fifteen hundred people does not even recognize the issue.” Seppō replies, “This old monk's responsibilities as abbot are numerous.” How stubborn and dismissive this statement is! When adepts meet, one captures and one releases. Encountering strength, one becomes weak; meeting what is lowly, one becomes noble. If you understand this as victory and defeat, you have not even dreamed of Seppō. See the two of them: at first solitary, perilous, and steep; in the end both dead and disordered. Tell me: are there gain and loss, victory and defeat? Adepts harmonizing and answering certainly do not know such a thing. Sanshō served as rector under Rinzai. As Rinzai approached death, he instructed the community, “After I go, do not extinguish my treasury of the true Dharma eye.” Sanshō came forward and said, “How would I dare extinguish your treasury of the true Dharma eye?” Rinzai said, “Later, if someone asks you about it, what will you do?” Sanshō immediately shouted. Rinzai said, “Who knew my treasury of the true Dharma eye would be extinguished beside this blind donkey?” Sanshō bowed. He was Rinzai's true child and therefore dared answer in this way. At the end Setchō versifies only the golden fish passing the net, revealing the place where adepts meet. The verse says: “A golden-scaled fish passes through the net—do not say it lingers in water.” Wuzu said, “This single phrase already completes the verse.” Since it is a golden fish that has passed the net, how could it dwell in stagnant water? It must be amid immense billows and white waves surging to the sky. Tell me: throughout the twelve double-hours of the day, what does it take as food? All of you, beneath the three rafters and before the seven-foot platform, try to determine it. Setchō says that this matter is picked up and handled according to one's share. A golden fish of this kind, shaking its fins and swinging its tail, directly sets heaven and earth in motion. “A thousand-foot whale spouts; immense waves fly.” This versifies Sanshō saying, “A teacher of fifteen hundred people does not even recognize the issue.” It resembles a whale spouting immense waves. “One thunderclap resounds; a clear gale rises.” This versifies Seppō saying, “This old monk's responsibilities as abbot are numerous.” It resembles one thunderclap raising a clear gale. In broad outline, Setchō versifies both as adepts. “The clear gale rises! Across heaven and among humans, how many know?” Tell me: where does this line land? 飈 means wind. When the clear gale rises, how many across heaven and among humans can know it?¹