Merle,
The latter, I think. I imagine it was fashioned in the form of a flat blade,
like a palette-knife, or putty knife, probably from a broad thin piece of
architectural bamboo.
It must have been a common enough accessory in use at the Ch'an monasteries,
some of which housed hundreds of monks or nuns, and the latrines must have been
extensive. And so the Master made use of the stick as an example, in his
teaching.
Others might have answered, "The Oak Tree in the court yard" (but at some of
the monasteries on high mountains, Oaks did not grow, but mostly Pines did/do).
Bamboo could be brought up from below, for building, and for implements.
Still others might have answered, "Just THIS!".
The Master was very compassionate, bringing the student back into the "here and
now" with what he said and how he said it.
--Joe
> Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote:
>
> huh??????? wiping what.... the toilet or the arse?..
> so it's an arse wiping stick?
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