Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 21 – Zen Master Chimon’ s Lotus Flower and Lotus Leaves

The Case

A monk asked zen master Chimon, "What will the lotus flower be when it has not yet come out of the water?" Chimon said, "The lotus flower." "What about when it is out of the water?" "The lotus leaves."

Engo's Introduction

Setting up the Dharma banner and establishing the Dharma teaching is like spreading flowers over brocades. If you take off the muzzle and set down the load, you will enter a time of great peace. If you master the transcendent words, you will be able to know three comers from one.

Verse

The lotus leaves The lotus flower! He is so kind to tell you of them! The flower coming out of the water. What difference, before or after? If you wander about, now north of the river, now south of the lake, Questioning Master Wang and the like, As one doubt is settled others will arise, And you will puzzle over question after question.