44. Basho's Staff
*
"The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934],
44. Basho'S Staff
Basho said to his disciple: "When you have a staff, I will give it to you. If you have no staff, I will take it away from you."
"Mumon's comment:" When there is no bridge over the creek the staff will help me. When I return home on a moonless night the staff will accompany me. But if you call this a staff, you will enter hell like an arrow.
With this staff in my hand
I can measure the depths and shallows of the world.
The staff supports the heavens and makes firm the earth.
Everywhere it goes the true teaching will be spread.
"The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934],
44. Basho'S Staff
Basho said to his disciple: "When you have a staff, I will give it to you. If you have no staff, I will take it away from you."
"Mumon's comment:" When there is no bridge over the creek the staff will help me. When I return home on a moonless night the staff will accompany me. But if you call this a staff, you will enter hell like an arrow.
With this staff in my hand
I can measure the depths and shallows of the world.
The staff supports the heavens and makes firm the earth.
Everywhere it goes the true teaching will be spread.
