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 …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 82 – Zen-Master Tairyu “Indestructible – Body”
The Case A monk said to zen master Tairyu, ‘Man’s body will ultimately decompose; what is the indestructible – body?’ Tairyu said, …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 81 – Zen Master Yakusan “King of the King Deer”
The Case A monk said to zen master Yakusan, ‘On the grassy plain there is a herd of deer, with the king …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 80 – Zen Master Joshu “A Newborn Baby”
The Case A monk asked zen master Joshu, ‘Does a newborn baby possess the six senses or not?’ Joshu said, ‘It is …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 79 – Zen Master Tosu “Every Voice Is the Buddha’s Voice”
The Case A monk said to zen master Tosu, ‘It is said ‘Every voice is the Buddhas voice. Is that true?” Tosu …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 78 – Enlightened Ones in the Bath
The Case In ancient times, there were sixteen Enlightened Ones. At the monks’ bathtime, following the rule, they had baths. They suddenly …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 77 – Zen Master Ummon “Sesame Bun”
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, ‘What is the teaching that transcends god and patriarchs?’ Ummon said, ‘A sesame bun. …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 76 – Zen Master Tanka “Have You Had Your Dinner?”
The Case Zen master Tanka asked a monk, “Where are you from?” The monk replied, From the foot of the mountain.” Tanka …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 75 – Zen Master Ukyu’s “Unfair Blows”
The Case A monk came from zen master Joshu’s assembly to Ukyo, who said to him, “What do you find in Joshu’s …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 74 – Zen Master Kingyu and the Rice Pail
The Case At every midday mealtime, zen master Kingyu would himself bring the pail of boiled rice and, in front of the …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – Nr. 73 – Zen Master Baso and the Hundred Negations
The Case A monk said to zen master Baso, ‘Independent of the four propositions and transcending the hundred negations, tell me plainly …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 72 – Zen Master Ungan “Do You Have Them or Not?”
The Case Zen master Hyakujo asked Ungan, ‘With your mouth and lips closed, how would you say it?’ Ungan said, ‘Master, do …
Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 71 – Zen Master Goho “Shut Up!”
The Case Zen master Hyakujo said to Goho, ‘With your mouth and lips dosed, how would you say it?’ Goho said, ‘Master …