Zen in Ten: Iron Grinder Liu

Precipitously Awesome and Dangerous

1. “Liu Tiemo (ca. 870) was a student of Guishan (d. 853) . . . Her name is variously translated as Iron Grinder, Iron-Grinder, and Iron Grindstone—the translations all allude to her ability to reduce the strongest matter to dust.”¹

2. “Little is known of the details of her life. After receiving the Dharma seal from Guishan, Liu lived a few miles away from him and would periodically come to visit. She taught Zen in a style described as ‘precipitously awesome and dangerous.’ Her ability to test the true mettle of Zen adepts brought her the name ‘Iron Grinder.’”²

3. Liu Tiemo’s intimate, humorous, and illuminating exchange with her famous teacher Guishan is included in the Book of Serenity as Case 60: “Iron Grinder, The Cow:”

   “Iron-Grinder Liu went to Guishan:

   Guishan said, ‘Old cow, you’ve come?’

   The Iron-Grinder said, ‘Tomorrow on Taishan there’s a big gathering and feast: are you going teacher?

   Guishan lay down, sprawled out.

   The Iron-Grinder immediately left.³

4. In the Book of Serenity, the 12th c. Chan Master Wansong’s introduction to the above koan is: “Nose high, each has a powerful appearance. Footsteps firm and solid, one may study ‘old woman Chan.’ When you penetrate the ungraspable dynamic, for the first time you see the method of a true master. But tell me, who is such a person?”⁴

5. Wansong’s comment: “Guishan called himself a water buffalo, he called Iron-Grinder Liu a cow—giving a name, an epithet of praise, it is a meeting of adepts. . . . See her with Guishan: when letting go, they both let go; when gathering in, both gather in.”⁵

6. Hakuin’s comment: “This is a meeting of adepts, in which there are no more views of Buddha or opinions of Dharma. ‘You've come.’ When Guishan says this, there is no guest or host; they were like two mirrors reflecting each other, so that one could not tell them apart. This is the time of great peace. ‘Are you going?’ They travel together; here there are no tracks. Liu's question is like the way a general remains heroic after peace is attained, asking returning soldiers if there is iniquity or clamor anywhere. Yet there is no more clamor. The battle lines have quietly been withdrawn. Guishan lay down—as might be expected: the slow collapse of a great general. Since no one is coming or going, expediency is moot. No one knows the point of the meeting of Guishan and the Iron Grindstone.”⁶

7. Tenkei’s Comment: "Old cow, you've come!" There is an echo in the words. Of what? It's an echo of "going into action among different kinds." Tomorrow—Are you going to the open feast on Five Peaks Mountain? This is simply a meeting of adepts; it is not Zen, it is not Dao. It is unobstructed action, moving when poked, rolling when pressed. He lay down; she left. What realm is this? It is where "cats and cows know." The Iron Grindstone galloped in to Guishan's castle to win a battle, only to find all the land at peace. She called to Guishan to check if there was unrest anywhere, and Guishan, completely at peace, discerned none.”⁷

8. “Aside from her prominent appearances in case sixty of the Book of Serenity and twenty-four of the Blue Cliff Record, there are few other stories of the Iron Grinder in classical records. She is mentioned in an episode of Dharma combat with the truculent Zen master Zihu, and despite her own reputation for ferocity, was not spared one of his characteristic beatings. The following passage [#9 below] is taken from the Guzunsu Yulu (The Record of the Venerable Ancients).”⁸

9. “The leader of a congregation named ‘Iron Grinder Liu’ visited Zen Master Zihu. Zihu said, “I've heard of ‘Iron Grinder Liu.’ They say you're hard to contend with. Is that so?” 

   Iron Grinder said, “Where did you hear that?”

   Zihu said, “It’s conveyed from left and right?”

   Iron Grinder said, “Don't fall down, Master.”

   Zihu drove her out of the room with blows.”⁹

10.  “In this exchange [above] with Zihu, [Iron Grinder] demonstrated that she could not be caught with words of praise or disparagement. She reminded Zihu that his wondering about ‘left or right' would throw him off balance, pull him into the world of dualistic thinking and comparison. Was she difficult or easy to deal with? Zihu asked her. When she corrected him, he resorted to his own trademark: a beating with the stick. As a ferocious woman Zen master, she did not exempt herself from physical beatings. These did not diminish her strength or her ability to stand without tipping.”¹⁰

1. Schireson, Grace. Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens, and Macho Masters. Somerville, MA, Wisdom Publications, 2009.

2. Ferguson, Andy. Zen’s Chinese Heritage. Boston, Wisdom Publications, 2011.

3. Cleary, Thomas. Book of Serenity. Boston, Shambhala Publications, 1988.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Cleary, Thomas. Secrets of the Blue Cliff Record: Zen Comments by Hakuin and Tenkei. Boston, Shambhala Publications, 2002.

7. Ibid.

8. Ferguson, Andy.

9. Ibid.

10. Schireson, Grace.