Clay bulls vanish in sea

Zen Master Longshan (also known as Hidden Mountain Monk) was a renowned Chan Buddhist monk of the Tang Dynasty. After receiving Dharma transmission from Chan Master Mazu Daoyi, he chose to retreat deep into mountains for spiritual practice, remaining secluded from society throughout his life. Dwelling in austere simplicity at Long Mountain (Dragon Mount, in Tanzhou, Hunan; present-day Changsha), he pursued enlightenment with unwavering devotion, wholly detached from worldly concerns.

Historical records indicate that Chan Master Dongshan once visited Longshan. After attaining profound realization, Longshan dramatically burned down his hermitage and withdrew into deeper, higher mountains for intensified practice. Thereafter, he vanished from recorded history.

Once Master Dongshan visited Master Longshan deep in the mountains.

Longshan asked: “There are no paths here — how did you enter?”
Dongshan countered: “Forget paths. How did you enter?”
Longshan: “I came not from clouds above nor waters below.”

Dongshan: “How long have you lived here?”
Longshan: “Mountains know no time. Earthly years mean nothing.”

Dongshan: “Which came first — you or the mountain?”
Longshan: “I don’t know.”
Dongshan: “Why not?”
Longshan: “I’m no mortal, no immortal — how could I know?”

Dongshan: “Are you a Buddha?”
Longshan: “No.”
Dongshan: “Then what?”
Longshan: “To call it anything misses the mark!”

Dongshan finally asked: “Why dwell in these mountains?”
Longshan replied:
“Once I saw two clay bulls fighting.
They tumbled into the sea — vanished without a trace.”

Hearing this, Dongshan bowed in profound reverence.

Philosophical Notes

Beyond Dualistic Labels:

Longshan’s “no mortal, no immortal” and “not-a-thing” shatter all conceptual cages. True nature exists before “human,” “Buddha,” or “mountain” arise.

Clay Bulls as illusory self:

The fighting bulls symbolize:

Ego’s endless conflicts (ideas, identities)

Dissolution in enlightenment (sea = boundless wisdom) >> Vanishing “without trace” reveals no-self.

“Clay bulls vanish in sea” = Total liberation from conceptual waves.

Mountains Without Time:

Longshan’s timeless abode embodies absolute suchness — where “entering” and “dwelling” are mere ghosts of language.

Chan Essence:

Longshan’s koan answers Dongshan’s deepest question: “Why dwell in mountains?”
Because mountains and seas — like clay bulls and Buddhas — are equally empty, equally home.