One puff of wind vs. Eight

Chan Master Foyin (1032–1098 CE) was a renowned Chinese Chan (Zen) master of the Song Dynasty, known for his wisdom, humor, and deep spiritual insight.

He is one of the most beloved figures in Chinese Buddhist tradition, especially remembered for his close friendship with the famous scholar-official and poet Su Dongpo (Su Shi), with whom he often exchanged teachings and engaged in philosophical and spiritual dialogues.

During the Song Dynasty, scholar Su Dongpo served in Guazhou, separated by the Yangtze River from Jinshan Temple. He often discussed Chan with its abbot, Master Foyin.

One day, Su Dongpo composed a poem, believing he’d attained spiritual mastery:

“Homage to the Celestial Tathagata!
Your light illumines the cosmos.
Eight winds cannot move me —
Serene on my golden lotus.”

(The “eight winds” are life’s eight conditions that sway emotions: praise, blame, fame, shame, gain, loss, pleasure, pain.)

He sent the poem via servant to Foyin. The master read it, scrawled “Fart!” on it, and returned it.

Enraged, Su Dongpo rowed across the river to confront Foyin, who awaited him onshore.
Su Dongpo stormed: “Abbot! We’re close friends — must you insult my poem?”
Foyin feigned innocence: “Insult?”
Su Dongpo thrust the paper at him: “You wrote ‘Fart’!”

Foyin roared with laughter:
“Ah! You claim ‘eight winds cannot move me’ —
yet one fart blew you across the river!”
Su Dongpo stood humbled.

Cultural & Philosophical Notes

The Gaping Chasm Between Theory and Realization:

Su Dongpo’s elegant verses about “unmoved by eight winds” collapsed at one crude word — exposing intellectual Zen vs. embodied Zen.

Foyin’s “Fart” as Compassionate Sword:

The vulgar rebuke was shock therapy to shatter:

Su Dongpo’s spiritual pride,
Attachment to self-image.

One Wind vs. Eight Winds:

Foyin proved: One moment of anger outweighs all theoretical mastery. True freedom isn’t recited — it’s lived when insults feel like breezes.

Chan Essence:

“Eight winds immovable” = Ego’s fantasy.
“One fart blew you across the river” = Reality’s mirror.