Measuring the Water

One day Joshu visited Shuyu's lecture hall. He ascended the platform with his staff and looked from east to west, then from west to east. "What are you doing?" Shuyu asked. "I am measuring the water," Joshu answered. "There is no water, not even a drop. How can you measure it?" Shuyu answered. Joshu leaned his staff against the wall and left.

Joshu went to his fellow monk, Shuyu, to test his understanding. He was measuring he depth of Shuyu's mind. Shuyu's retort was good. However, he showed himself to be still in the world of "is" and "is not": "There is no water." Joshu departed as freely as he came, unencumbered even by his staff.