A head monk came to Gyokuzan the 21st master of Kenchoji, and saluted him. He asked if he might copy out the sermons on the Rinzairoku which had been given by Daikaku the founder of Kenchoji.
The teacher sat silent for a long time, and then said, ‘Have you copied it?’
’Why,’ said the head monk, ‘I have not yet had the loan of it.’
The teacher replied, ‘Rinzai’s Zen is communicated from heart to heart – what should want with writings? If you have to have a writing, take Mount Ashigara as the brush and Yui shore as the ink stone and make your copy.’
The head monk gave a Katsu! Shout and said, ‘I have made my copy.’
Shōnankattōroku Koan