Zen Koan & Mysticism – Mumonkan – Case No. 21 – Zen Master Ummon’s “Kanshiketsu” (Shit-Stick)

The Case

A monk asked zen master Unmon, "What is Buddha?" Unmon replied "Kanshiketsu (shit-stick)!"

Mumon's Comment

Zen master Ummon was too poor to prepare plain food, too busy to speak from notes. He hurriedly took up the shit to support the Way. The decline of Buddhism was thus foreshadowed.

Verse

Lightning flashing, Sparks shooting; A moment's blinking, Missed forever.