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Young monks, on hearing that Rinzai had announced Fuke to be an enlightened man, sought out Fuke for his mentorship. Fuke, true to form, simply rang his bell in their faces every time they asked him a religious question and recited,

Coming as brightness, I strike the brightness;

Coming as darkness, I strike the darkness;

Coming from the four quarters and eight directions,

I hit like a whirlwind;

Coming from the empty sky, I lash like a flail.

When the monks returned to Rinzai and told him what nonsense Fuke was uttering, Rinzai simply said, “He is truly an enlightened man.”

Fuke’s behavior in the days leading up to his death was characteristic of the man. Hanada Shihan said that one day Fuke, dragging a coffin, announced to the people who had gathered to watch him ring his bell and preach his crazy sermon, “Tomorrow Fuke will cross over at the North Gate. Be there.” He was announcing the precise time of his passing, a behavior periodically recorded for spiritual leaders of the time.

On the following day all gathered at the North Gate, but when Fuke arrived he looked about him and said, “No. Today is not good. Tomorrow, Fuke will cross over at the South Gate. Be there.”