One day Chan Master Dok-San (Te-Shan Hsuan-Chen: 781-867) was on the way to the eating room and met Sul-Bong (Hsueh-Feng: 822-908), who was in charge of the kitchen.
Sul-Bong asked:
“The bell and drum have not yet been hit, where are you going? “
As soon as Master Dok-San heard this question, he returned to his room. Sul-Bong told this story to his elder brothers disciple, Am-Du who replied:
“Oh, our Venerable Master Dok-San still has not realized the final phrase.”
Later, Venerable Master Dok-San heard this story and called his attendant to bring Am-Du to him and said, “You do not believe in me, your teacher?”
Am-Du whispered something in Master Dok-Sans ear, telling him what he had meant. Finally, Master Dok-San was satisfied.
The following day, Dok-Sans dharma speech was different from any before. Am-Du watched, and, clapping his hands, said,
“Now, the most pleasant thing is that this old Master realized the final phrase. From now on, no one would dare to challenge him. But it wont be more than three years.”
In this case, what is the final phase?