The 31st Zen patriarch, Dai I Zenji, made his bows before Kanchi Daishi and said, « I beg the compassion of your reverence. Please teach me the Dharma way of emancipation. »
The patriarch said, « Who is binding you? »
Dai I Zenji said, « No one is binding me. »
The patriarch said, « Then why should you search for emancipation? »
Hearing this, Dai I Zenji had great realization.
Denkoroku, Case 31
(The Record of Transmitting the Light)