Koan - Joshu's "The Real Way Is Not Difficult"

The Case

Joshu spoke to the assembly and said, "The real Way is not difficult. It only abhors choice and attachment. With but a single word there may arise choice and attachment or there may arise clarity. This old monk does not have that clarity. Do you appreciate the meaning of this or not?" Then a monk asked, you do not have that clarity, what do you appreciate?" Joshu said, "I do not know that, either." The monk said, "If you do not know, how can you say you do not have that clarity?" Joshu said, "Asking the question is good enough. Now make your bows and retire."

Engo's Introduction

The universe is too narrow; the sun, moon, and stars are all at once darkened. Even if blows from the stick fall like raindrops and the "katsu" shouts sound like thunder, you are still far short of the truth. Even the Buddhas of the three worlds can only nod to themselves, and the patriarchs of all ages do not exhaustively demonstrate its profundity.

The whole treasury of sutras is inadequate to expound its deep meaning. Even the clearest-eyed monks fail to save themselves. At this point, how do you conduct yourself? Mentioning the name of the Buddha is like trudging through the mire. To utter the word "Zen" is to cover your face with shame. Not only those who have long practiced Zen but beginners, too, should exert themselves to attain directly to the secret.

Verse

The real Way is not difficult. Direct word Direct speech One with many phases, Two with one. Far away in the heavens the sun rises, the moon sets; Beyond the hills the high mountains, the cold waters. The skull has no consciousness, no delight; The dead tree sings in the wind, not yet rotten. Difficult, difficult Attachment and clarity; watch, and penetrate the secret!