Zen Koan & Mysticism – Hekiganroku – Case No. 1 – Emperor Wu Asks Bodhidharma
The Case Emperor Wu of Liang asked Bodhidharma, “What is the first principle of the holy teachings?” Bodhidharma said, “Emptiness, no holiness.” …
Hekiganroku – The Blue Cliff Record – Koan Collection
Hekiganroku Koan Hwadu Collection
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 100 – Zen Master Haryo “Sword Against Which a Hair Is Blown!”
The Case A monk asked zen master Haryo, ‘What is the sword against which a hair is blown?’ Haryo said, ‘Each branch …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 99 – Zen Master Cha “Ten-bodied Herdsman”
The Case Emperor Shukuso asked, zen master Chu, ‘What is the ten-bodied-herdsman?’ Chu said, ‘Go trampling on Vairocana’s head!’ The emperor said, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 98 – Zen Master Tempyo “Two Wrongs!”
The Case When zen master Tempyo went on a pilgrimage visiting teachers, he stayed with Sai-in. He always said, ‘Don’t say you …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 97 – The Diamond Sutra’s “The Transgression Is Wiped Out”
The Case The Diamond Sutra says, ‘If anyone is despised by others, even if he has committed some serious transgression in a …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 96 – Zen Master Joshu “Three Turning Words!”
The Case Zen master Joshu said, “Clay Buddhas cannot pass through water. Metal Buddhas cannot pass through a furnace. Wooden Buddhas cannot …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 95 – Zen Master Chokei Discusses the Holy Words
The Case Zen master Chokei one day said, “Even if you say that the Arhats still have three poisons, you should not …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 94 – The Scriptures
The Case In the scriptures the World-honored says, “When unseeing, why do you not see the unseeing? If you see the unseeing, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 93 – Zen Master Taiko “You Fox-Devil!”
The Case A monk asked zen master Taiko, ‘What is the meaning of Chokei’s words, ‘He seems to observe reflection and thanksgiving …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 92 – The World-honored One Takes His Seat!
The Case The World-honored One one day took his seat on the platform. Manjusri struck the table with the gavel and said, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 91 – Zen Master Enkan “The Rhinoceros Fan”
The Case Zen master Enkan one day called to his attendant and said, “Bring me the rhinoceros fan.” The attendant said, “The …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 90 – Zen Master Chimon “The Essence of Wisdom”
The Case A monk asked zen master Chimon, ‘What is the essence of wisdom?’ Chimon said, ‘The oyster swallows the full moon.’ …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 89 – Zen Master Ungan “The Whole Body Is Hand and Eye”
The Case Zen master Ungan asked Dogo, ‘What use does the great Bodhisattva of Mercy make of all those hands and eyes?’ …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 88 – Zen Master Gensha “Man of Three Disabilities”
The Case Zen master Gensha said to the assembly, ‘Every teacher in the land talks of saving things and delivering mankind. When …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 87 – Zen Master Ummon “Medicine and Sickness Cure Each Other”
The Case Zen master Ummon said to his disciples, ‘Medicine and sickness cure each other. All the earth is medicine, where do …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 86 – Zen Master Ummon “Everybody Has His Own Light”
The Case Zen master Ummon spoke to his assembly and said, ‘Everybody has his own light. If he tries to see it, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 85 – The Master of Toho Hermitage Roars Like a Tiger
The Case A monk cam’ to visit the zen master of Toho hermitage and said to him, ‘If, on this mountain, you …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 84 – Yuima “The Gate to the One and Only”
The Case Yuima asked Manjusri, “What is the Bodhisattva’s Gate to the One and Only?” Manjusri answered, “To my mind, in all …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 83 – Zen-Master Ummon “The Old Buddha Communes with the Pillar”
The Case Zen master Ummon spoke to his disciples and said, “The old Buddha communes with the pillar. What level of spiritual …