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My Favorite Zen Story
Chinese Rinzai Master Fen-yang Shan-chao (947-1024)

The Master goes on ahead
The Master was visited by a messenger from the governor. The messenger had been sent to invite the master to leave his students and become the chief priest of a famous temple in the capitol. After refusing the governor's three previous requests, the Master relented.

The Master then ordered food to be brought for a farewell meal, and he put on his travelling clothes.

"I'm going ahead," he said to his monks. "Who can go with me?"

A monk came forward and said, "I can go."

"How far can you walk in a day?" the Master asked.

"Fifty li," the monk replied.

"You can't follow me," said the Master.

Another monk volunteered.

"How far can you walk in a day?" the Master asked.

"Seventy li," the monk replied.

"You can't go either," said the Master.

The Master's attendant Monk then came forward. "I can go with you," He said.

"How far can you walk in a day?" the Master asked.

"I can accompany you wherever you go." Said the Attendant Monk.

"You can follow me," said the Master. Then he turned to the messenger and said "I am going on ahead." Then, putting down his chopsticks, he quietly died.