Will explores the interaction between Fayan and two students about the simple question of whether the student came to the temple by boat or land. The student responds that he came by boat. Fayan then asks where is the boat? The student responds that “it is on the river.” This response is key to the discussion and to our insight into this koan.

This teisho by Will Moon, roshi is based on Case 51 of the Book of Serenity, Fayan’s Boat or Land, and was given at Autumn sesshin 2026 at Kodoji