Capsize boat before vs. after crossing the sea

Chan Master Xuefeng Yicun (822-908) stands as one of the most influential figures in Tang Dynasty Chan Buddhism. Born into a devout Buddhist family, he demonstrated early spiritual maturity — expressing monastic aspirations by age nine and taking full ordination at seventeen. His rigorous training under masters Dongshan Liangjie and Dechan Xuanjian culminated in a profound enlightenment experience during a snowstorm at Aoshan(Mount Ao).

In 870 CE, Xuefeng founded the historic Xuefeng Temple in Fujian, later revered as the “Foremost Monastery of the South.” His teachings became foundational to the Southern Chan tradition, directly shaping the development of both the Yunmen and Fayan schools of Chan Buddhism.

Once a student monk visited Master Xuefeng, who asked:
“Where do you come from?”
The monk: “From Master Fuchuan (‘Capsized Boat’).”

Xuefeng jested:
“Why capsize the boat before crossing the sea of life and death?”
Confused, the monk reported this to Fuchuan, who said:
“Fool! You should’ve said: ‘I capsized it because I’ve already crossed!’”

The monk returned to Xuefeng, who asked:
“Since you capsized the boat, why come back?”
The monk confidently recited:
“Having crossed life and death, why not capsize the boat?”

Xuefeng retorted:
“These are your teacher’s words, not yours. Take these twenty blows to Fuchuan! And tell him: ‘Xuefeng keeps another twenty for himself.’ This has nothing to do with you.”

Philosophical Notes

The Peril of Parroting Wisdom:

The monk’s rehearsed answer exposed spiritual plagiarism. Xuefeng’s rejection (“not yours”) underscores Zen’s core: awakening cannot be borrowed.

“Twenty Blows” as Mirror of Responsibility:

Xuefeng’s punishment reveals:

Fuchuan’s fault: Teaching dogma instead of igniting insight.

His own fault: Testing with wordplay, knowing the monk was unprepared.

The monk’s innocence: Caught between masters’ games.

Capsizing as Liberation Symbol:

Fuchuan’s defense (“crossed, so capsized”) held truth — but when repeated mechanically, a profound metaphor became empty jargon.