Dharma combat

Dharma combat, called issatsu (一拶, いっさつ, literally "challenge"[1]) or shosan[2] in Japanese, is a term in some schools of Buddhism referring to an intense exchange between student and teacher, and sometimes between teachers, as an occasion for one or both to demonstrate his or her understanding of the Dharma[3] and Buddhist tenets.

[3] The Dharma combat usually appears to be in the form of a debate, with questions and answers that seem illogical to an outside observer.

[8] As Peter D. Hershock asserts, the term itself provides insight into the risks of the encounter between student and master.

[9] The student is in danger of losing the ability to maintain their prior chosen heading, much the same as in a battle.

[9] The first known recorded examples of Dharma combat occurred during the "Classical" period of Zen history.

[11] On occasions the Dharma combat of Linji even extended to physical handling, as in the following example: From the High Seat, the master said: "Upon the lump of red flesh there is a True Man of no Status who ceaselessly goes out and in through the gates of your face.