A monk asked Joshu, "What is the meaning of Bodidharma's coming to China?"
Joshu said, "The oak tree in the front garden."
A monk asked Zhaozhou, "What is the living meaning of Zen?."
Zhaozhou said, "The cypress tree in the courtyard."
A monk asked Chao-chou, "Has the oak tree Buddha nature?"
Chao-chou said, "Yes, it has."
The monk said, "When does the oak tree attain Buddhahood?"
Chao-chou said, "Wait until the great universe collapses."
The monk said, "When does the universe collapse?"
Chao-chou said, "Wait until the oak tree attains Buddhahood."
