The Mumonkan, in contrast with the poetically lofty Hekiganroku and Shoyoroku, was written in a style more direct and down to earth, and featured the fearsomely direct "Mu" as its first koan, ...

CASE Once when Hyakujô gave a series of talks, a certain old man was always there listening together with the monks. When they left, he would leave too. One day, however, he ...

CASE Once, in ancient times, when the World-Honored One was at Mount Grdhrakūta to give a talk, he twirled a flower before his assembled disciples. All were silent. Only Mahakashyapa broke into ...

THE CASE A monk said to Jôshu, “I have just entered this monastery. Please give me instruction.” Jôshu said, “Have you eaten your rice gruel?” The monk said, “Yes, I have.” Jôshu ...

Hôgen points you to a realization of the unity of essential sameness and difference, of the relative and the absolute, form and emptiness. ...

A monk asked Nansen, “Is there a fundamental truth that has never been expounded for people?” Nansen said, “There is.” ...

The Case Tokusan (Ch. Deshan) visited Ryûtan and questioned him sincerely far into the night. It grew late and Ryûtan said, “Why don’t you retire?” Tokusan made his bows and lifted the ...