MASTER HSING YUN'S TALK

I-Hsiu Eating the Honey:
When I-hsiu was a young novice, he already demonstrated great potential for Ch'an. Once, a lay Buddhist gave his master a jar of honey； it just so happened that the Master had to go out that day. Worried that I-hsiu might eat the honey on the sly, the Master warned, "I-hsiu! A devotee has just given us this jar of poison.  It's very dangerous. Be sure not to eat it." I-hsiu was very clever and immediately saw through this gimmick.  After the Master left, he ate the bottle of honey.  Satiated and content, he began to think about how he would justify his conduct.  Suddenly, he had an inspiration.  He grabbed his master's most treasured vase and shattered it. When the Master returned, I-hsiu laid down on the ground and cried loudly, "Master! I have committed an unpardonable sin." "What did you do?" asked the Master. "I've broken your prized vase!" cried I-hsiu. "How could you be so careless?" chided the Master. Feigning remorse, I-hsiu replied, "Master! I know that I shouldn't have broken your vase.  To express my deep regret, I wanted to commit suicide by eating that jar of poison!" Not knowing whether to laugh or to cry, the Master had to suffer in silence!