Koan – Mumonkan – Case No. 33 – Zen Master Baso’s “No Mind, No Buddha”

The Case

A monk asked Baso "What is the Buddha?" Baso answered, "No mind no Buddha."

Mumon's Comment

If you understand this, you have finished studying Zen.

Verse

Present a sword if you meet a swordsman; Don't offer a poem unless you meet a poet. When talking, tell one-third of it; Don't divulge the whole at once.