https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1by6jag/meta_blocking_and_zen/
I came across this in measuring tap:
Beichan then hit him. This monk didn’t accept, and was subsequently driven out.
So there are criteria for not giving people the floor endlessly, let alone refusing to engage with people who won't answer, like Yunmen:
Why don’t you go do them? What piece of dried shit are you looking for here?” Yunmen then got down from the seat and drove the monks from the hall with his staff.
Or refusing to answer dumb questions from professionals like Yunmen:
When Muzhou heard Yunmen coming he closed the door to his room. Yunmen knocked on the door.
Muzhou said, “Who is it?”
Yunmen said, “It’s me.”
Muzhou said, “What do you want?”
Yunmen said, “I’m not clear about my life. I’d like the master to give me some instruction.”
Muzhou then opened the door and, taking a look at Yunmen, closed it again.
Yunmen knocked on the door in this manner three days in a row. On the third day when Muzhou opened the door, Yunmen stuck his foot in the doorway.
Muzhou grabbed Yunmen and yelled, “Speak! Speak!”
When Yunmen began to speak, Muzhou gave him a shove and said, “Too late!”
Muzhou then slammed the door, catching and breaking Yunmen’s foot. At that moment, Yunmen experienced enlightenment.
So when is enough enough, even though Zen's only practice is public interview?