A young novice asked Ch'an Master Hsing-kung, "What was the meaning of the Patriarch's coming from the West?"

The Master replied, " Assume someone fell into a well that is one thousand feet deep. If you can rescue him without using even an inch of rope, then I will tell you. "

The novice said, " Ch'an Master Ch'ang of Hunan who passed away recently was just like you. Your style of speech is nonsensical. "

Hsing-kung ordered Yang-shan to oust the novice from the temple.

Later, Yang-shan asked Ch'an Master Tan-yuan, " In your judgment, how can the man in the well be rescued? "

Tan-yuan exclaimed, " You fool! Who is in the well? "

Yang-shan was unable to respond.

Another time, he questioned Ch'an Master Kuei-shan, " Master, how do you think the man in the well can be rescued? "

Kuei-shan caught Yang-shan off guard and shouted, " Yang-shan! "

When Yang-shan responded, Master Kuei-shan said, " The man is already out. "