Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 42 – Ho Koji’s “Beautiful Snowflakes”
The Case Ho Koji (Layperson) was leaving zen master Yakusan. Yakusan let ten Zen students escort him to the temple gate to …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 41 – Zen Master Joshu and the Great Death
The Case Zen master Joshu asked Tosu, ‘What if a man of the Great Death comes back to life again?” Tosu said, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 40 – Zen Master Nansen “This Flower”
The Case Riku Taifu, while talking with zen master Nansen, said, ‘Jo Hoshi said, ‘Heaven and earth and I are of the …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 39 – Zen Master Ummon’s “Golden-Haired-Lion”
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, ‘What is the pure body of the Buddha?’ Ummon said, ‘Kayakuran [the fence around …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 38 – Zen Master Fuketsu and the Seal of the Patriarch
The Case Zen master Fuketsu took the high seat in the government office of Eishu and said, ‘The Seal of the patriarch …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 37 – Zen Master Banshan “Three Worlds, No Law”
The Case In the middle of teaching his listeners, Zen Master Banshan called into the hall: “In the three In the realms …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 36 – Zen Master Chosha Went for A Walk
The Case One day zen master Chosha went for a walk. When he returned to the gate the head monk said, ‘Ohsho, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 35 – Manjushri’s “Three and Three”
The Case Manjushri asked zen master Muchaku, ‘Where have you recently come from?’ Muchaku said, ‘From the south.’ ‘How is Southern Buddhism …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 34 – Zen Master Kyozan’s “You Have Not Visited Rozan”
The Case Zen master Kyozan asked a monk, “Where are you from?” “Mount Rozan,” answered the monk. “Have you ever visited Gorehe …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 33 – Chinso Shosho Comes to Visit Zen Master Shifuku
The Case Chinso came to see zen master Shifuku. Shifuku drew a circle in the air. Chinso said, “I have no object …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 32 – Zen Master Rinzai’s “What is the Essence?”
The Case Jo Joza asked zen master Rinzai, ‘What is the essence?’ Rinzai, getting up from his seat, seized him, slapped him, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 31 – Zen Master Mayoku Comes to Zen Master Shokei
The Case Zen Master Mayoku came to Shokei carrying his bell staff with him, walked around Shokei’ s seat three times, shook …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 30 – Zen Master Joshu’s “A Big Radish”
The Case A monk asked zen master Joshu, “I have heard that you closely followed zen master Nansen. Is that true?” Joshu …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 29 – Zen Master Daizui’s “It Will Be Gone with the Other”
The Case A monk asked zen master Daizui, “When the kalpa fire flares up and the great cosmos is destroyed, I wonder, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 28 – Zen Master Nansen’s “What the Holy Ones Have Not Preached”
The Case Zen master Nansen came to see Hyakujo. Hyakujo said, “Is there any Law that the holy ones have not preached …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 27 – Zen Master Ummon’s “Golden Breeze”
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, ”What will it be when trees wither and leaves fall?” Ummon said, ‘You embody …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 26 – Zen Master Hyakujo Sits on the Great Sublime Peak
The Case A monk asked zen master Hyakujo, ‘What is the mostwonderful thing?’ Hyakujo said, ‘I sit alone on this Great Sublime …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 25 – The Master of Rengeho’s Staff
The Case The master of the hermitage held out his staff and said to his disciples, “When, in olden times, a man …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 24 – Zen Nun, the Old Female Buffalo!
The Case Zen Nun Ryutetsuma came to zen master Isan. Isan said, “Old Female Buffalo, so you have come!” Tetsuma said, ”Tomorrow …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 23 – Zen Master Hofuku’s Marvelous Mountain Top
The Case When zen master Hofuku and Chokei went out for a walk, Hofuku, pointing with his finger, said, ‘This is Myohocho …