One day P'u-chi visited the Layman.
"I recall that when I was in my mother's womb I had a certain word," said the Layman. "I'll show it to you, but you mustn't hold it as a principle."
"You're still separated from life," said P'u-chi.
"I just said you mustn't hold it as a principle," rejoined the Layman.
"How can I not be awed by a word that astounds people?" said P'u-chi.
"Understanding such as yours is enough to astonish people," replied the Layman.
"The very statement 'don't hold it as a principle' has become a principle," said P'u-chi.
"You're separated not only by one or two lives," said the Layman.
"It's all right for you to reprove a rice-gruel [-eating] monk [like me]," returned P'u-chi.
The Layman snapped his fingers three times.10