Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – Nr. 54 – Zen Master Ummon Stretches Out His Hands

The Case

Zen master Ummon asked a monk, ''Where have you recently come from?" The monk said, "From Saizen." Ummon said, "What words has Saizen offered lately?'' The monk stretched out his hands. Ummon struck him. The monk said, ''I had something to tell you." Ummon now stretched out his own hands. The monk was silent. Ummon struck him.

Engo's Introduction

Transcending life and death, actualizing Zen spirit, he casually cuts through iron and nails, lightly moves heaven and earth. Tell me, whose doing can that be?

Verse

Controlling the head and tail of the tiger, exerting invincible influence over the four hundred provinces. How precipitous he is! The master says, "One further word, I leave it open."