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.” …
The Case Emperor Wu of Liang asked Bodhidharma, “What is the first principle of the holy teachings?” Bodhidharma said, “Emptiness, no holiness.” …
Hekiganroku Koan Hwadu Collection
The Case A monk asked zen master Haryo, “What is the sword against which a hair is blown?” Haryo said, “Each branch …
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, …
The Case When zen master Tempyo went on a pilgrimage visiting teachers, he stayed with Sai-in. He always said, “Don’t say you …
The Case The Diamond Sutra says, “If anyone is despised by others, even if he has committed some serious transgression in a …
The Case Zen master Joshu said, “Clay Buddhas cannot pass through water. Metal Buddhas cannot pass through a furnace. Wooden Buddhas cannot …
The Case Zen master Chokei one day said, “Even if you say that the Arhats still have three poisons, you should not …
The Case In the scriptures the World-honored says, “When unseeing, why do you not see the unseeing? If you see the unseeing, …
The Case A monk asked zen master Taiko, “What is the meaning of Chokei’s words, ‘He seems to observe reflection and thanksgiving …
The Case The World-honored One one day took his seat on the platform. Manjusri struck the table with the gavel and said, …
The Case Zen master Enkan one day called to his attendant and said, “Bring me the rhinoceros fan.” The attendant said, “The …
The Case A monk asked zen master Chimon, “What is the essence of wisdom?” Chimon said, “The oyster swallows the full moon.” …
The Case Zen master Ungan asked Dogo, “What use does the great Bodhisattva of Mercy make of all those hands and eyes?” …
The Case Zen master Gensha said to the assembly, “Every teacher in the land talks of saving things and delivering mankind. When …
The Case Zen master Ummon said to his disciples, “Medicine and sickness cure each other. All the earth is medicine, where do …
The Case Zen master Ummon spoke to his assembly and said, “Everybody has his own light. If he tries to see it, …
The Case A monk cam’ to visit the zen master of Toho hermitage and said to him, “If, on this mountain, you …
The Case Yuima asked Manjusri, “What is the Bodhisattva’s Gate to the One and Only?” Manjusri answered, “To my mind, in all …
The Case Zen master Ummon spoke to his disciples and said, “The old Buddha communes with the pillar. What level of spiritual …
The Case A monk said to zen master Tairyu, “Man’s body will ultimately decompose; what is the indestructible Dharma body?” Tairyu said, …
The Case A monk said to zen master Yakusan, “On the grassy plain there is a herd of deer, with the king …
The Case A monk asked zen master Joshu, “Does a newborn baby possess the six senses or not?” Joshu said, “It is …
The Case A monk said to zen master Tosu, “It is said ‘Every voice is the Buddhas voice. Is that true?” Tosu …
The Case In ancient times, there were sixteen Enlightened Ones. At the monks’ bathtime, following the rule, they had baths. They suddenly …
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, “What is the teaching that transcends god and patriarchs?” Ummon said, “A sesame bun.” …
The Case Zen master Tanka asked a monk, “Where are you from?” The monk replied, From the foot of the mountain.” Tanka …
The Case A monk came from zen master Joshu’s assembly to Ukyo, who said to him, “What do you find in Joshu’s …
The Case At every midday mealtime, zen master Kingyu would himself bring the pail of boiled rice and, in front of the …
The Case A monk said to zen master Baso, “Independent of the four propositions and transcending the hundred negations, tell me plainly …
The Case Zen master Hyakujo asked Ungan, “With your mouth and lips closed, how would you say it?” Ungan said, “Master, do …
The Case Zen master Hyakujo said to Goho, “With your mouth and lips dosed, how would you say it?” Goho said, “Master …
The Case Zen master Isan, Goho, and Ungan were standing together in attendance on Hyakujo. Hyakujo said to Isan, “With your mouth …
The Case Zen master Nansen, Kisu, and Mayoku were on their way together to pay their respects to Chu Kokushi. When they …
The Case Zen Master Kyozan asked Sansho, “What is your name?” Sansho said, “Ejaku!” Kyozan said, “Ejaku is my name!” Sansho said, …
The Case Emperor Wu of Liang asked zen master Fu to give a lecture on the Scriptures. Fu mounted the platform, struck …
The Case Zen master Ganto asked a monk, “Where are you from?” The monk said, “From the western capital.” Ganto said, “After …
The Case A non-Buddhist philosopher said to the Buddha, “I do not ask for words; I do not ask for non- words.” …
The Case Zen Master Nansen told the previous story [Case 63] to Joshu and asked his opinion. Joshu then took off his …
The Case Zen master Nansen one day saw the monks of the Eastern and Western halls quarreling over a cat. He held …
The Case Zen master Ummon said to the assembled monks, “Between heaven and earth, within the universe, there is one treasure. It …
The Case Zen master Fuketsu said to the assembled monks, “If one particle of dust is raised, the state will come into …
The Case Zen master Ummon held out his staff and said to the assembled monks, “The staff has transformed itself into a …
The Case A monk said to zen master Joshu, “‘The real Way is no difficult. lt only abhors choice and attachment. If …
The Case A monk said to zen master Joshu, “You so often quote the words, ‘The real Way is not difficult. It …
The Case A monk said to zen master Joshu, “It is said, ‘The real Way is not difficult. It only abhors choice …
The Case Ryo Zenkaku asked zen master Kinzan, “What about when one arrow pierces the three barriers?” Kinzan said, “Bring out the …
The Case One day zen master Dogo accompanied by his disciple Zengen, went to visit a family in which a funeral was …
The Case Zen master Ummon asked a monk, ”Where have you recently come from?” The monk said, “From Saizen.” Ummon said, “What …
The Case When zen master Ba Daishi [Baso] was out walking with Hyakujo, he saw a wild duck fly past. Daishi said, …
The Case A monk said to Zen Master Joshu, “The stone bridge of Joshu is well known, but when I come here, …
The Case When zen master Seppo was living in his hermitage, two monks came to pay their respects. As Seppo saw them …
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, “What is particle after particle’s samadhi?” Ummon said, “Rice in the bowl, water in …
The Case Sansho said to zen master Seppo, “The golden carp is out of the net! Tell me, what will it feed …
The Case O Tifu went to Shokei Temple for the tea ceremony. Ro Joza, lifting the kettle to bring it to Myosho, …
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, “What is the true Body?” Ummon said, “Beyond the six.” Engo’s Introduction Heaven never …
The Case Zen master Kyosei asked a monk, “What is the noise outside?” The monk said, “That is the voice of the …
The Case A monk asked zen master Joshu, “All is reduced to oneness, but what is oneness reduced to?” Joshu said, “When …
The Case Zen master Kasan said, “Learning by study is called ‘hearing’; learning no more is called ‘nearness’; transcending these two is …
The Case A monk said to zen master Tozan, “Cold and heat descend upon us. How can we avoid them?” Tozan said, …
The Case Ho Koji (Layperson) was leaving zen master Yakusan. Yakusan let ten Zen students escort him to the temple gate to …
The Case Zen master Joshu asked Tosu, “What if a man of the Great Death comes back to life again?” Tosu said, …
The Case Riku Taifu, while talking with zen master Nansen, said, “Jo Hoshi said, ‘Heaven and earth and I are of the …
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, “What is the pure body of the Buddha?” Ummon said, “Kayakuran” [the fence around …
The Case Zen master Fuketsu took the high seat in the government office of Eishu and said, “The Seal of the patriarch …
The Case In the middle of teaching his listeners, Zen Master Banshan called into the hall: “In the three In the realms …
The Case One day zen master Chosha went for a walk. When he returned to the gate the head monk said, “Ohsho, …
The Case Manjushri asked zen master Muchaku, “Where have you recently come from?” Muchaku said, “From the south.” “How is Southern Buddhism …
The Case Zen master Kyozan asked a monk, “Where are you from?” “Mount Rozan,” answered the monk. “Have you ever visited Gorehe …
The Case Chinso came to see zen master Shifuku. Shifuku drew a circle in the air. Chinso said, “I have no object …
The Case Jo Joza asked zen master Rinzai, “What is the essence?” Rinzai, getting up from his seat, seized him, slapped him, …
The Case Zen Master Mayoku came to Shokei carrying his bell staff with him, walked around Shokei’ s seat three times, shook …
The Case A monk asked zen master Joshu, “I have heard that you closely followed zen master Nansen. Is that true?” Joshu …
The Case A monk asked zen master Daizui, “When the kalpa fire flares up and the great cosmos is destroyed, I wonder, …
The Case Zen master Nansen came to see Hyakujo. Hyakujo said, “Is there any Law that the holy ones have not preached …
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, ”What will it be when trees wither and leaves fall?” Ummon said, “You embody …
The Case A monk asked zen master Hyakujo, “What is the mostwonderful thing?” Hyakujo said, “I sit alone on this Great Sublime …
The Case The master of the hermitage held out his staff and said to his disciples, “When, in olden times, a man …
The Case Zen Nun Ryutetsuma came to zen master Isan. Isan said, “Old Female Buffalo, so you have come!” Tetsuma said, ”Tomorrow …
The Case When zen master Hofuku and Chokei went out for a walk, Hofuku, pointing with his finger, said, “This is Myohocho …
The Case Zen master Seppo, speaking to the assembly,said, “There is a turtle-nosed snake on the South Mountain. You should have a …
The Case A monk asked zen master Chimon, “What will the lotus flower be when it has not yet come out of …
The Case Ryuge asked zen master Suibi, “What is the meaning of Bodhidharma’s coming from the West?” Suibi said, “Pass me the …
The Case Zen master Gutei, whenever he was asked a question, only raised a finger. Engo’s Introduction When even one particle stirs, …
The Case Emperor Shukuso asked Cho Kokushi, “You are a hundred years old, what shall I do for you?” Kokushi answered: “Make …
The Case A monk asked zen master Kyorin, “What is the meaning of Bodhidharma’s coming from the West?” Kyorin said, “Sitting long …
The Case A monk said to zen master Kyosei, “I want to peck from the inside. Would you please tap from the …
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, “What is it when no thought is stirring and nothing presents itself?” Ummon said, …
The Case A monk asked zen master Ummon, ”What is the teaching of the Buddha’s lifetime?” Ummon said, “Preaching facing oneness.” Engo’s …
The Case A monk asked zen master Haryo, “What is the Daiba school?” Haryo said, “Snow in the silver bowl” Engo’s Introduction …
The Case A monk asked zen master Tozan, “What is Buddha?” Tozan said, “Masagin!” [three pounds of flax]. Engo’s Introduction The death-dealing …
The Case Zen master Obaku addressed the assembly and said, “You are all partakers of brewer’s grain. If you go on studying …
The Case Zen master Bokushu asked a monk, “Where are you from?” The monk gave a shout. Bokushu said, “This old monk …
The Case A monk (with the nearby city of Joshu in mind) asked the master of the same name, deliberately omitting the …
The Case Zen Master Suigan, at the end of the summer session, spoke to the assembly and said, “During the summer session …
The Case A monk said to zen master Hogen, “My name is Echo. I ask you, what is the Buddha?” Hogen said, …
The Case Zen master Ummon addressed the assembly and said, “I am not asking you about the days before the fifteenth of …
The Case Zen master Seppo addressed the assembly and said, “All the great world, if I pick it up with my fingertips, …
The Case The wandering scholar Tokusan came to the monastery of the Zen master Isan. With the bundle under his arm he …
The Case The great zen master Baso was seriously ill. The chief priest of the temple came to pay his respects. He …
The Case Joshu spoke to the assembly and said, “The real Way is not difficult. It only abhors choice and attachment. With …