Hey, you wanna go take a piss for me?

THE STUDENT Doken was told to go on a long journey to another
monastery. He was much upset, because he felt that this trip would
interrupt his studies for many months. So he said to his friend,
the advanced student Sogen:

"Please ask permission to come with me on the trip. There are so
many things I do not know; but if you come along we can discuss
them - in this way I can learn as we travel."

"All right," said Sogen. "But let me ask you a question: If you
are hungry, what satisfaction to you if I eat rice? If your feet
are lame, what comfort to you if I go on merrily? If your bladder
is full, what relief to you if I piss?"

Anybody notice anything weird about the koan? Both of the names are Dogen with one letter changed.

When Doken asked Sogen to come along, Sogen would have been making the journey for Doken, because Doken would have continued to use the excuse that Sogen is a better monk than he is. Doken was trying to get Sogen to take control of his life and actions for him, which if you know anything about Buddhism is a big no-no. Sogen says that Doken needs to do his own work and he gives three example. If you're hungry I can't eat for you, if you have no feet(Or they don't work) I can't walk for you, and if you have to piss I can't drain the lizard for you. Sogen was teaching Doken that he needs to take control of his own actions, because the only person responsible for your actions is you.