Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 55 – Zen Master Dogo’s “I Would Not Tell You”

The Case

One day zen master Dogo accompanied by his disciple Zengen, went to visit a family in which a funeral was to take place. In order to express sympathy, Zengen touched the coffin and said, "Tell me, please, is this life or is this death?" Dogo said, "I would not tell you whether it is life or it is death." Zengen said, "Why don't you tell me?" Dogo said, "No, I would not tell you."

On the their way home, Zengen said, "Master, please be kind enough to tell me. If not, I will hit you." Dogo said, "Strike me if you like, but I would not tell you." Zengen struck Dogo. Later Dogo passed away.

Zengen came to Sekiso and told him the whole story. Sekiso said, "I would not tell you whether it is life or it is death." Zengen said, "Why don't you tell me?" Sekiso said, "No, I would not tell you." Upon these words, Zengen attained sudden realization.

One day Zengen, carrying a hoe, went up and down the lecture hall as if he were searching for something. Sekiso said, "What are you doing?" Zengen said, "I am searching for the spiritual remains of our dead teacher." Sekiso said, "Limitless expanse of mighty roaring waves; foaming waves wash the sky. What relic of the deceased teacher do you seek?"

[Setcho says, "Alas! Alas!"]

Zengen said, "It is a way of acquiring strength." Taigen Fu said, "The deceased teacher's spiritual remains still exist.

Engo's Introduction

Absolute truth - direct enlightenment; positive activity - immediate understanding. Quick as sparks and lightning, he cuts through the complications. Sitting on the tiger's head and grasping its tail, he is still like a thousand-foot cliff. Be that as it may, is there any case for giving a clue for others' sake?

Verse

Hares and horses have horns, cows and goats have none. lt is quite infinitesimal, It piles up mountain-high. The golden relic exists, it still exists now. Foaming waves wash the sky. Where can you put it? No, nowhere! The single sandal returned to India and is lost forever.