Kyosei's Big Stick

Kyosei asked a new monk from where he had come. The monk answered, "From Three Mountains." Kyosei then asked, "Where did you spend your last seclusion?" "At the Five Mountains Monastery," the monk replied. "And I will give you thirty blows with this big stick," Kyosei Said. "Why do I deserve them?" the monk asked. "Because you left one monastery and went to another," Kyosei concluded.

Maybe this monk is simply going around to different monasteries and enjoying it. On the other hand, he may be searching earnestly for a good teacher. The good teacher soon finds out the quality of the student. Zen discipline is very stern. No ego freedom nor imaginary self-freedom can be permitted. Any attachment deserves blows.