Zen Koan & Mysticism – Mumonkan – Case No. 30 – Zen Master Baso’s ”This Very Mind Is the Buddha”

The Case

Daibai asked Baso, "What is the Buddha?" Baso answered, "This very mind is the Buddha."

Mumon's Comment

If you directly grasp Base's meaning, you wear the Buddha's clothes, eat the Buddha's food, speak the Buddha's words, do the Buddha's deeds-that is, you are the Buddha himself.
However, alas! Daibai misled not a few people into taking the mark on the balance for the weight itself. How could he realize that even mentioning the word "Buddha" should make us rinse out our mouths for three days? If a man of understanding hears anyone say, "This very mind is the Buddha," he will cover his ears and rush away.

Verse

The blue sky and bright day, No more searching around! "What is the Buddha?" you ask: With loot in your pocket, you declare yourself innocent.