our koans

from the gateless gate by ekai ['mu-mon']

transcribed by nyogen senzaki & paul reps

zen flesh zen bones, tuttle publishing 57-10199

 

 

16. Bells and Robes

 

            UMMON ASKED: “The world is such a wide world, why do you answer a bell and don ceremonial robes?”

 

Mumon's comment: When one studies Zen one need not follow sound or color or form. Even though some have attained insight when hearing a voice or seeing a color or a form, this is a very common way. It is not true Zen. The real Zen student controls sound, color, form, and actualizes the truth in his everyday life.

            Sound comes to the ear, the ear goes to sound. When you blot out sound and sense, what do you understand? While listening with ears one never can understand. To understand intimately one should see sound.

 

            When you understand, you belong to the family;

            When you do not understand, you are a stranger.

            Those who do not understand belong to the family,

            And when they understand they are strangers.

 

21. Dried Dung

 

            A MONK ASKED Ummon: “What is Buddha?” Ummon answered him: “Dried dung.”

 

Mumon's comment: It seems to me Ummon is so poor he cannot distinguish the taste of one food from another, or else he is too busy to write readable letters. Well, he tried to hold his school with dried dung. And his teaching was just as useless.

 

            Lightning flashes,

            Sparks shower.

            In one blink of your eyes

            You have missed seeing.

 

30. This Mind Is Buddha

 

            DAIBAI ASKED Baso: “What is Buddha?” Baso said: “This mind is Buddha.”

 

…

 

33. This Mind Is Not Buddha

 

            A MONK ASKED Baso: “What is Buddha?” Baso said: “This mind is not Buddha.”

 

Mumon’s comment: If anyone understands this, he is a graduate of Zen.

 

            If you meet a fencing-master on the road, you may give him your sword,

            If you meet a poet, you may offer him your poem.

            When you meet others, say only a part of what you intend.

            Never give the whole thing at once.