従容録 第二十八則 護国三懡

The Core

Shoyoroku Case 28, Huguo's Three Embarrassments, is a koan that comes from a dialogue. In this dialogue, a monk asked three questions: high purity (a crane standing on a withered pine tree), extreme stillness and immovability (water freezing drop by drop), and sacred authority (the Huichang persecution). Master Huguo Shouchong rejected all of them, saying, "The one on the ground, the one after sunrise, and the Nio statues at the main gate are all a complete embarrassment."
In general, it is seen as a koan that warns against becoming proud by resting on high spiritual states, purity, or sacred miracles. However, in this dictionary, we define it as a practical teaching. This teaching explains the importance of breaking all attachments that cling to pride in high enlightenment, purity, immovability, and sacredness (Kojo), and returning to the reality beneath one's feet and the Original Face (Koge and Hoko).