Abstract
This chapter focuses on the encounter dialogues in the Chuandēng lu. One of the most frequent, if not the most frequently asked question in the Chan records is the question about the 'Meaning of the Coming of the Patriarch'. In effect, this is a rhetoric shorthand to an inquiry about the meaning and essence of the Chan teaching, as expounded by the interlocutor who receives the question. Chan is well known for its affinity to poetical expression; many Chan masters have been renowned poets and poetical expression is at the core of collections like the Biyan lu of Yuanwu Keqin. Now what might be the reason for this preference for poetical language? What is the rhetorical function of poetical language? To answer these questions, a brief reminder of the working of poetical language is given in this chapter. Keywords: Biyan lu; Chan; Patriarch; Yŭlu
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