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The Gateless Gate

collection of koans and comments by Mumon

Thursday, March 1, 2007

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.'

Mumon's Comment: Old Nansen gave away his treasure-words. He must have been greatly upset.

Nansen was too kind and lost his treasure.
Truly, words have no power.
Even though the mountain becomes the sea,
Words cannot open another's mind.

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Mumon

Mumon

Chapters

  • ▼  2007 (32)
    • ▼  March (32)
      • A Philosopher Asks Buddha
      • Joshu's Dog
      • Hyakujo's Fox
      • Gutei's Finger
      • A Beardless Foreigner
      • Kyogen Mounts the Tree
      • Buddha Twirls a Flower
      • Joshu Washes the Bowl
      • Keichu's Wheel
      • A Buddha Before History
      • Seizei Alone and Poor
      • Joshu Examines a Monk in Meditation
      • Zuigan Calls His Own Master
      • Tokusan Holds His Bowl
      • Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two
      • Tozan's Three Blows
      • Bells and Robes
      • The Three Calls of the Emperor's Teacher
      • Tozan's Three Pounds
      • Everyday Life is the Path
      • The Enlightened Man
      • Dried Dung
      • Kashapa's Preaching Sign
      • Do Not Think Good, Do Not Think Not-Good
      • Without Words, Without Silence
      • Preaching from the Third Seat
      • Two Monks Rolls Up the Screen
      • It is Not Mind, It is Not Buddha, It is Not Things
      • Blow Out the Candle
      • Not the Wind, Not the Flag
      • This Mind is Buddha
      • Joshu Investigates
 

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