Dahui Sect’s Principle – Get rid of the fire in my heart

There was a general who had been fighting on the battlefield for a long time. He was tired of war and went to Zen Master Dahui Zongnie to ask for becoming a monk. He said to Zongnie: Zen Master! I have seen through the world now. Please take me in me and become a monk with kindness and let me be your disciple!

Zong Nie: You have a family and have too much social habits. You can’t become a monk yet. Let’s talk about it later!

General: Zen Master! I can let go of everything now. My wife, children, and family are not a problem. Please give me a slaughter immediately!

Zong Nie: Let’s talk about it later!

The general was unable to do so one day, he got up early one morning and went to the temple to worship Buddha. When Zen Master Dahui Zongnie saw him, he said:

Why did the general come to worship Buddha so early?

The general learned to use Zen poems and verses to say: In order to eliminate the fire in his heart, he should greet his master early.

The Zen master joked and replied in a verse: You get up so early, aren’t you afraid that your wife will steal someone?

When the general heard this, he was very angry and scolded: You old monster, your speech is so hurtful!