"When Rin-zai came back, the elder asked how the interview went.
Said Rin-zai: 'Before I could finish my question the master slapped
me, but I fail to grasp its meaning.' The elder said: 'You go to him
again and ask the same question.' When he did so, he received the
same response from the master. But Rin-zai was urged again to try it
for the third time, but the outcome did not improve.

"At last he went to the elder, and said 'In obedience to your kind
suggestion, I have repeated my question three times, and been slapped
three times. I deeply regret that, owing to my stupidity, I am
unable to comprehend the hidden meaning of all this. I shall leave
this place and go somewhere else.' Said the elder: 'If you wish to
depart, do not fail to go and see the master to say him farewell.'

"Immediately after this the elder saw the master, and said: 'That
young novice, who asked about Buddhism three times, is a remarkable
fellow. When he comes to take leave of you, be so gracious as to
direct him properly. After a hard training, he will prove to be a
great master, and, like a huge tree, he will give a refreshing
shelter to the world.'

"When Rin-zai came to see the master, the latter advised him not to
go anywhere else, but to Dai-gu (Tai-yu) of Kaoan, for he would be
able to instruct him in the faith.

"Rin-zai went to Dai-gu, who asked him whence he came. Being
informed that he was from Obak, Dai-gu further inquired what
instruction he had under the master. Rin-zai answered: 'I asked him
three times about the essence of Buddhism, and he slapped me three
times. But I am yet unable to see whether I had any fault or not.'