Zen koan of the day - Wild Ducks

Wild Ducks

Once when Great Master Ma and Pai Chang were walking together they saw some wild ducks fly by.

The Great Master asked, "What is that?"

Chang said, "Wild ducks."

The Great Master said, "Where have they gone?"

Chang said, "They've flown away."

The Great Master then twisted Pai Chang's nose.

Chang cried out in pain. The Great Master said, "When have they ever flown away?"

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dcj commentary: At times, describing the plain truth leads to pain.