Zen Koan & Mysticism – Mumonkan – Case No. 18 – Zen Master Tozan’ s “Masagin”

The Case

A monk asked Tozan, ''What is Buddha?" Tozan replied, "Masagin [three pounds of flax].

Mumon's Comment

Old Tozan attained the poor Zen of a clam. He opened the two halves of the shell a little and
exposed all the liver and intestines inside. But tell me, how do you see Tozan?

Verse

"Three pounds of flax" came sweeping along; Close were the words, but closer was the meaning. Those who argue about right and wrong Are those enslaved by right and wrong.