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ZEN KOAN
A monk asked Seijo: `I understand that a Buddha who lived before recorded history sat in meditation for ten cycles of existence and could not realize the highest truth, and so could not become fully emancipated. Why was this so?'
Seijo replied: `Your question is self-explanatory.'
The monk asked: `Since the Buddha was meditating, why could he not fulfill Buddahood?'
Seijo said: `He was not a Buddha.'
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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?"
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A monk asked Joshu: "Does a new born infant still have six consciousnesses?"
Joshu replied: "A ball tossed into rushing water"
The monk asked: "What is the meaning of "A ball tossed into rushing water"?"
Joshu replied: "Moment to moment non-stop flow."
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A monk requested: "I have entered the monastery: please give me some guidance"
Master Zhao Zhao replied: " Have you eaten breakfast yet?"
Monk: "Yes"
Master Zhao Zhao: "Then go wash your bowl"
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Manjusri Enters the Gate
One day as Manjusri stood outside the gate, the Buddha called to him, "Manjusri, Manjusri, why do you not enter?"
Manjusri replied, "I do not see myself as outside. Why enter?"
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Where to Meet after Death
Dogo paid a visit to his sick fellow monk, Ungan. "Where can I see you again if you die and leave only your corpse?" Dogo asked. "I will meet you where nothing dies," Ungan replied. Dogo criticized his response saying, "What you should have said is that there is no place where nothing is born and nothing dies and that we need not see each other at all."
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A Philosopher Asks Buddha
A philosopher asked Buddha: "Without words, without silence, will you tell me the truth?" The Buddha sat quietly. The philosopher then bowed and thanked the Buddha, saying, "With your loving kindness I have cleared away my delusions and entered the true path." After the philosopher had gone, Ananda asked Buddha what the philosopher had attained. The Buddha commented, "A good horse runs even at the shadow of the whip."
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The Real Way Is Not Difficult
Joshu addressed an assembly of monks: "The Real Way is not difficult;, but it dislikes the Relative. If there is but little speech, it is about the Relative or it is about the Absolute. This old monk is not within the Absolute. Do you value this or not?" A monk said to him, "If you are not within the Absolute, how can you judge its value?" Joshu said, "Neither do I know that." The monk argued, "Your Reverence, if you do not yet know, how is it that you say you are not within the Absolute?" Joshu said, "Your questioning is effective. Finish your worship and leave."
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The Turtle in the Garden
A monk saw a turtle in the garden of Daizui's monastery and asked the teacher, "All beings cover their bones with flesh and skin. Why does this being cover its flesh and skin with bones?" Master Daizui took off one of his sandals and covered the turtle with it.
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The Temple
One day Hofuku said to his disciples, "When one passes behind the temple, he meets Chang and Li, but he does not see anyone in front of it. Why is this? Which of the two roads is better?" A monk answered, "Something must be wrong with the sight. Nothing is gained without seeing." The Master scolded the monk, saying, "Stupid, the temple is always like this." The monk said, "If it were not the temple, one should see something." The Master said, "I am talking about the temple and nothing else."
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Lotus Blossoms and Leaves
A monk asked Chimon, "Before the lotus blossom has emerged from the water, what is it?" Chimon said, "A lotus blossom." The monk pursued, "After it has come out of the water, what is it?" Chimon replied, "Lotus leaves."
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Every Day Is a Good Day
Unmon said: "I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But what about fifteen days hence? Come, say a word about this!" Since none of the monks answered, he answered for them: "Every day is a good day."
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No Cold and Heat
A monk asked Tozan, "How can we escape the cold and heat?" Tozan replied, "Why not go where there is no cold and heat?" "Is there such a place?" the monk asked. Tozan commented, "When cold, be thoroughly cold; when hot, be hot through and through.
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The Short Staff
Shuzan held out his short staff and said, "If you call this a short staff, you oppose its reality. If you do not call it a short staff, you ignore the fact. Now what do you wish to call this?"
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Joshu's Mu
Joshu (A.D. 778-897) was a famous Chinese Zen Master who lived in Joshu, the province from which he took his name. One day a troubled monk approached him, intending to ask the Master for guidance. A dog walked by. The monk asked Joshu, "Has that dog a Buddha-nature or not?" The monk had barely completed his question when Joshu shouted: "MU!"
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Seijo's Two Souls
Chokan had a very beautiful daughter named Seijo. He also had a handsome young cousin named Ochu. Joking, he would often comment that they would make a fine married couple. Actually, he planned to give his daughter in marriage to another man. But young Seijo and Ochu took him seriously; they fell in love and thought themselves engaged. One day Chokan announced Seijo's betrothal to the other man. In rage and despair, Ochu left by boat. After several days journey, much to his astonishment and joy he discovered that Seijo was on the boat with him!
They went to a nearby city where they lived for several years and had two children. But Seijo could not forget her father; so Ochu decided to go back with her and ask the father's forgiveness and blessing. When they arrived, he left Seijo on the boat and went to the father's house. he humbly apologized to the father for taking his daughter away and asked forgiveness for them both.
"What is the meaning of all this madness?" the father exclaimed. Then he related that after Ochu had left, many years ago, his daughter Seijo had fallen ill and had lain comatose in bed since. Ochu assured him that he was mistaken, and, in proof, he brought Seijo from the boat. When she entered, the Seijo lying ill in bed rose to meet her, and the two became one.
Zen Master Goso, referrring to the legend, observed, "Seijo had two souls, one always sick at home and the other in the city, a married woman with two children. Which was the true soul?"
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Bells and Robes
Zen Master Unmon said: "The world is vast and wide. Why do you put on your robes at the sound of a bell?"
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Bodhidharma and the Emperor Wu
Emperor Wu of China was a very benevolent Buddhist. He built many temples and monasteries, educated many monks, and performed countless philanthropic deeds in the name of Buddhism. He asked the great teacher Bodhidharma, "What merit is there in my good works?" Bodhidharma replied, "None whatsoever." The Emperor then asked, "What is the Primal meaning of Holy Reality?" Bodhidharma answered, "Emptiness, not holiness." The Emperor then queried, "Who, then, is this confronting me?" "I do not know," was Bodhidharma's reply. Since the Emperor did not understand, Bodhidharma left his kingdom.
Later, the Emperor related this conversation to an adviser, Prince Shiko. Shiko reprimanded him, saying that Bodhidharma was a great teacher possessed of the highest truth. The Emperor, filled with regret, dispatched a messenger to entreat Bodhidharma to return. But Shiko warned, "Even if all the people in the land went, that one will never return."
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Returning to the Ordinary World
A monk asked Kegon, "How does an enligthtened one return to the ordinary world?" Kegon replied, "A broken mirror never reflects again; fallen flowers never go back to the old branches."
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A monk asked "What is the living meaning of Zen Buddhism?"
Master Zhao Zhao replied "The cypress tree in the yard"
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When Yunyan was sweeping, Douwu said "Too busy"
Yunyan said "You should know when there's one who isn't busy"
Douwu said "If so, there's a second moon"
Yunyan held up the broom and said "Which moon is this?"
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Buddha Twirls a Flower
When Buddha was in Grdhrakuta mountain he turned a flower in his fingers and held in before his listeners. Every one was silent. Only Maha-Kashapa smiled at this revelation, although he tried to control the lines of his face.
Buddha said: `I have the eye of the true teaching, the heart of Nirvana, the true aspect of non-form, and the ineffable stride of Dharma. It is not expressed by words, but especially transmitted beyond teaching. This teaching I have given to Maha-Kashapa.'
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Kashapa's Preaching Sign
Anada asked Kashapa: `Buddha gave you the golden-woven robe of successorship. What else did he give you?'
Kashapa said: `Ananda.'
Ananda answered: `Yes, brother.'
Said Kashapa: `Now you can take down my preaching sign and put up your own.'
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It is Not Mind, It is Not Buddha, It is Not Things
A monk asked Nansen: `Is there a teaching no master ever preached before?'
Nansen said: `Yes, there is.'
`What is it?' asked the monk.
Nansen replied: `It is not mind, it is not Buddha, it is not things.'
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Not the Wind, Not the Flag
Two monks were arguing about a flag. One said: `The flag is moving.'
The other said: `The wind is moving.'
The sixth patriach happened to be passing by. He told them: `Not the wind, not the flag; mind is moving.'
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Joshu Investigates
A travelling monk asked an old woman the road to Taizan, a popular temple supposed to give wisdom to the one who worships there. The old woman said: `Go straight ahead.' When the monk proceeded a few steps, she said to herself: `He also is a common church-goer.'
Someone told this incident to Joshu, who said: `Wait until I investigate.' The next day he went and asked the same question, and the old woman gave the same answer.
Joshu remarked: `I have investigated that old woman.'
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JOSHU asked a monk who appeared for the first time in the hall,
"Have I ever seen you here before?" The monk answered, "No sir,
you have not."
"Then have a cup of tea," said Joshu.
He turned to another monk. "Have I ever seen you here before?" he
said. "Yes sir, of course you have," said the second monk.
"Then have a cup of tea," said Joshu.
Later, the managing monk of the monastery asked Joshu, "How is it
that you make the same offer of tea whatever the reply to your
question?"
At this Joshu shouted, "Manager, are you still here?"
"Of course, master!" the manager answered. "Then have a cup of
tea," said Joshu.
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THE STUDENT Tokusan used to come to the master Ryutan in the
evenings to talk and to listen. One night it was very late before
he was finished asking questions.
"Why don't you go to bed?" asked Ryutan.
Tokusan bowed, and lifted the screen to go out. "The hall is very
dark," he said.
"Here, take this candle," said Ryutan, lighting one for the
student.
Tokusan reached out his hand, and took the candle.
Ryutan leaned forward, and blew it out.
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SEKISO said: "A man sits on top of a hundred-foot pole. How can he
go farther up?"
A master answered: "He should reach for enlightenment. Then he can
stand up into all four corners of the sky at once.
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SEKKYO said to one of his monks, "Can you get hold of Emptiness?"
"I'll try" said the monk, and he cupped his hands in the air.
"That's not very good," said Sekkyo. "You haven't got anything in
there!"
"Well, master," said the monk, "please show me a better way."
Thereupon Sekkyo seized the monk's nose and gave it a great yank.
"Ouch!" yelled the monk. "You hurt me!"
"That's the way to get hold of Emptiness!" said Sekkyo.
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A MASTER was asked the question, "What is the Way?" by a curious
monk.
"It is right before your eyes," said the master.
"Why do I not see it for myself?"
"Because you are thinking of yourself."
"What about you: do you see it?"
"So long as you see double, saying I don't and you do, and so on,
your eyes are clouded," said the master.
"When there is neither 'I' nor 'You,' can one see it?"
"When there is neither 'I' nor 'You,' who is the one that wants to
see it?"
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KOKUSHI called to his attendant: "Oshin!"
Oshin replied, "Yes."
Kokushi called "Oshin!"
Oshin replied, "Yes."
Kokushi called again, "Oshin!"
Oshin replied again, "Yes."
Kokushi said, "I apologize for all this calling of your name. But
in truth you should apologize to me!"
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JOSHU was a master who started to study Zen when he was sixty.
When he was eighty he found enlightenment. They say that he taught
for forty years thereafter.
Once a student asked old Joshu: "You teach that we must empty our
minds. I have nothing in my mind. Now what shall I do?"
"Throw it out!" said Joshu.
"But I have nothing. How can I throw it out?"
"If you can't throw it out, carry it out! Drive it out! Empty it
out! But don't stand there in front of me with nothing in your
mind!"
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THE OFFICIAL Riko once asked Nansen to explain to him the old
problem of the goose in the bottle. "If a man puts a gosling into
the bottle" he said, "and feeds the gosling through the
bottle-neck until it grows and grows and becomes a goose, and then
there just is no more room inside the bottle, how can the man get
it out without killing the goose, or breaking the bottle?"
"Riko!" shouted Nansen, and gave a great clap with his hands.
"Yes, master," said the official with a start.
"See!" said Nansen, "the goose is out!"
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THE MONK Zuigan used to start every day by saying to himself out
loud: "Master, are you there?"
And he would answer himself, "Yes sir, I am!"
Then he would say, "Better sober up!"
Again he would answer, "Yes sir! I'll do that!"
Then he would say, "Look out now; don't let them fool you!"
And he would answer, "Oh no, sir, I won't! I won't!"
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SUBHUTI, a disciple of Buddha, had reached the enlightenment of
Great Emptiness, where the Eternal Real and the passing unreal are
one. Sitting under a tree in this enlightenment, he found flowers
drifting down on him from the tree. And he heard voices. "We are
praising your eloquence on Emptiness," said these voices like
gods' voices.
"But I have not spoken of Emptiness," murmured Subhuti.
"You have not spoken of it. We have not heard it. This is true
Emptiness," said the voices, and the flowers fell like rain.
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THE MASTER Ryokan lived in a poor little hut on a mountainside.
One moonlight night he came home and found a burglar looking for
something to steal. But Ryokan was a hermit who owned nothing.
"Poor fellow," he said to the robber. "You have come a long way
and have found nothing. But I don't want you to leave me
empty-handed. Please take my clothes." And Ryokan stripped, and
handed the clothes to the robber.
"Poor fellow," said naked Ryokan, going outdoors again when the
inconsiderate robber had left, "How I wish I could have given him
this wonderful moon."
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A NEW monastery was to be opened, and the master Hyakujo had to
decide which of his monks should be put in charge. So he called
the monks together, filled a vase with water, and said to them:
"Which one of you can say what this is without giving its name?"
The chief monk, who expected to be given the new mastership, spoke
first. "It stands upright, it is hollow inside, but it is not a
wooden shoe," he said.
Another monk said, "It is not a pond, because it can be carried."
Then the cook, lowest of the monks, arose. He kicked over the vase
with his foot, so the water ran out on to the floor. He had shown
how to achieve emptiness.
Hyakujo gave him the job.
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THE MASTER Tosotsu built three gates and made the monks pass
through them. The first gatewas the study of Zen. By studying Zen
you can see your own true nature. But where is it?
By going through the second gate, you can free yourself from birth
and death. But when you are a corpse, how can you free yourself?
Going through the third gate, your body separates into the four
elements. But where are you?
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OBAKU said to the master Hyakujo: "They say that centuries ago a
master was reborn as a fox five hundred times, because he gave
answers untrue to Zen. But now suppose a master were asked
question after question, and always gave a right and wise Zen
answer. What happens to him?"
"Come here near me," said master Hyakujo, "and I will answer you."
The student stepped up to Hyakujo, and slapped the master's face.
He knew this was the answer the master had intended for him.
The master Hyakujo laughed. "I always knew Persians had red
beards," he said, "and now I know a Persian who has a red beard."
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WHEN Yamaoka was a brash young student, he visited the master
Dokuon. Wanting to impress the master, he said:
"There is no mind, there is no body, there is no Buddha. There is
no better, there is no worse. There is no master and there is no
student; there is no giving, there is no receiving. What we think
we see and feel is not real. All that is real is Emptiness. None
of these seeming things really exists."
Dokuon had been sitting quietly smoking his pipe, and saying
nothing. Now he picked up his staff, and without warning gave
Yamaoka a terrible whack. Yamaoka jumped up in anger.
"Since none of these things really exists," said Dokuon, "and all
is Emptiness, where does your anger come from? Think about it."
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A PUZZLED monk once said to Fuketsu: "You say truth can be
expressed without speaking, and without keeping silent. How can
this be?"
Fuketsu answered, "In Southern China in the Spring, when I was
only a lad, ah! how birds sang among the blossoms."
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Everything is Best
One day Banzan was walking through a market. He overheard a customer say to the butcher, "Give me the best piece of meat you have." "Everything in my shop is the best," replied the butcher. "You can not find any piece of meat that is not the best." At these words, Banzan was enlightened.
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What is this mind?
Who is hearing these sounds?
Do not mistake any state for
Self-realization, but continue
To ask yourself even more intensely,
What is it that hears?
--Bassui
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It is as though you have an eye
That sees all forms
But does not see itself.
This is how your mind is.
Its light penetrates everywhere
And engulfs everything,
So why does it not know itself?
--Foyan
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Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water.
The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.
Although its light is wide and great,
The moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide.
The whole moon and the entire sky
Are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.
--Dogen
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Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma
see no Dharma in everyday actions.
They have not yet discovered that
there are no everyday actions outside of Dharma.
--Dogen
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Who is hearing?
Your physical being doesn't hear,
Nor does the void.
Then what does?
Strive to find out.
Put aside your rational Intellect,
Give up all techniques.
Just get rid of the notion of self.
--Bassui
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The most important thing is to find out
what is the most important thing.
--Shunryu Suzuki
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If you want to be free,
Get to know your real self.
It has no form, no appearance,
No root, no basis, no abode,
But is lively and buoyant.
It responds with versatile facility,
But its function cannot be located.
Therefore when you look for it,
You become further from it;
When you seek it,
You turn away from it all the more.
-- Linji
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Where beauty is, then there is ugliness;
where right is, also there is wrong.
Knowledge and ignorance are interdependent;
delusion and enlightenment condition each other.
Since olden times it has been so.
How could it be otherwise now?
Wanting to get rid of one and grab the other
is merely realizing a scene of stupidity.
Even if you speak of the wonder of it all,
how do you deal with each thing changing?
--Ryokan
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Just stop your wandering,
Look penetratingly into your inherent nature,
And, concentrating your spiritual energy,
Sit in zazen
And break through.
--Bassui
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Good and evil have no self nature;
Holy and unholy are empty names;
In front of the door is the land of stillness and quiet;
Spring comes, grass grows by itself.
--Master Seung Sahn
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There are thousands upon thousands of students
who have practised meditation and obtained its fruits.
Do not doubt its possibilities because of the simplicity of the method.
If you can not find the truth right where you are,
where else do you expect to find it?
--Dogen
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Everyday Life is the Path
Joshu asked Nansen: What is the path?
Nansen said: Everyday life is the path.
Joshu asked: Can it be studied?
Nansen said: If you try to study, you will be far away from it.
Joshu asked: If I do not study, how can I know it is the path?
Nansen said: The path does not belong to the perception world, neither does it belong to the nonperception world. Cognition is a delusion and noncognition is senseless. If you want to reach the true path beyond doubt, place yourself in the same freedom as sky. You name it neither good nor not-good.
At these words Joshu was enlightened.
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A MASTER who lived as a hermit on a mountain was asked by a monk,
"What is the Way?"
"What a fine mountain this is," the master said in reply.
"I am not asking you about the mountain, but about the Way."
"So long as you cannot go beyond the mountain, my son, you cannot
reach the Way," replied the master.
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