49. Amban's Addition : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 49. AMBAN'S ADDITION Amban, a layman Zen student, said: "Mu-mon has just published forty-eight koans and called the book "Gateless Gate". He criticizes the old patriarchs' words and actions. I think he is very...
31. Joshu Investigates : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 31. JOSHU INVESTIGATES A traveling monk asked an old woman the road to Taizan, a popular temple supposed to give wisdom to the one who worships there. The old woman said: "Go straight ahead." When the monk...
17. The Three Calls Of The Emperor's Teacher : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 17. THE THREE CALLS OF THE EMPEROR'S TEACHER Chu, called Kokushi, the teacher of the emperor, called to his attendant: "Oshin." Oshin answered: "Yes." Chu repeated, to test his pupil: "Oshin." Oshin repeated:...
8. Keichu's Wheel : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 8. KEICHU'S WHEEL Getsuan said to his students: "Keichu, the first wheel-maker of China, made two wheels of fifty spokes each. Now, suppose you removed the nave uniting the spokes. What would become...
29. Not The Wind, Not The Flag : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 29. NOT THE WIND, NOT THE FLAG Two monks were arguing about a flag. One said: "The flag is moving." The other said: "The wind is moving." The sixth patriarch happened to be passing by. He told them: "Not...
24. Without Words, Without Silence : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 24. WITHOUT WORDS, WITHOUT SILENCE A monk asked Fuketsu: "Without speaking, without silence, how can you express the truth?" Fuketsu observed: "I always remember springtime in southern China. The birds sing...
34. Learning Is Not The Path : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 34. LEARNING IS NOT THE PATH Nansen said: "Mind is not Buddha. Learning is not the path." "Mumon's comment:" Nansen was getting old and forgot to be ashamed. He spoke out with bad breath and exposed the scandal...
25. Preaching From The Third Seat : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 25. PREACHING FROM THE THIRD SEAT In a dream Kyozan went to Maitreya's Pure Land. He recognized himself seated in the third seat in the abode of Maitreya. Someone announced: "Today the one who sits in the third...
26. Two Monks Roll Up The Screen : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 26. TWO MONKS ROLL UP THE SCREEN Hogen of Seiryo monastery was about to lecture before dinner when he noticed that the bamboo screen lowered for meditation had not been rolled up. He pointed to it. Two monks...
37. A Buffalo Passes Through The Enclosure : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 37. A BUFFALO PASSES THROUGH THE ENCLOSURE Goso said: "When a buffalo goes out of his enclosure to the edge of the abyss, his horns and his head and his hoofs all pass through, but why can't the tail also...
28. Blow Out The Candle : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 28. BLOW OUT THE CANDLE Tokusan was studying Zen under Ryutan. One night he came to Ryutan and asked many questions. The teacher said: "The night is getting old. Why don't you retire?" So Tokusan bowed...
38. An Oak Tree In The Garden : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 38. AN OAK TREE IN THE GARDEN A monk asked Joshu why Bodhidharma came to China. Joshu said: "An oak tree in the garden." "Mumon's comment:" If one sees Joshu's answer clearly, there is no Shakyamuni Buddh...
11. Joshu Examines A Monk In Meditation : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 11. JOSHU EXAMINES A MONK IN MEDITATION Joshu went to a place where a monk had retired to meditate and asked him: "What is, is what?" The monk raised his fist. Joshu replied: "Ships cannot remain where...
42. The Girl Comes Out From Meditation : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 42. THE GIRL COMES OUT FROM MEDITATION In the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, Manjusri went to the assemblage of the Buddhas. When he arrived there, the conference was over and each Buddha had returned to his own...
30. This Mind Is Buddha : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 30. THIS MIND IS BUDDHA Daibai asked Baso: "What is Buddha?" Baso said: "This mind is Buddha." "Mumon's comment:" If anyone wholly understands this, he is wearing Buddha's clothing, he is eating Buddha's food...
23. Do Not Think Good, Do Not Think Not Good : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 23. DO NOT THINK GOOD, DO NOT THINK NOT-GOOD When he became emancipated the sixth patriarch received from the fifth patriarch the bowl and robe given from the Buddha to his successors, generation after...
18. Tozan's Three Pounds : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 18. TOZAN'S THREE POUNDS A monk asked Tozan when he was weighing some flax: "What is Buddha?" Tozan said: "This flax weighs three pounds." "Mumon's comment:" Old Tozan's Zen is like a clam. The minute the shell...
43. Shuzan's Short Staff : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 43. SHUZAN'S SHORT STAFF Shuzan held out his short staff and said: "If you call this a short staff, you oppose its reality. If you do not call it a short staff, you ignore the fact. Now what do you wish to call...
20. The Enlightened Man : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 20. THE ENLIGHTENED MAN Shogen asked: "Why does the enlightened man not stand on his feet and explain himself?" And he also said: "It is not necessary for speech to come from the tongue." "Mumon's comment:"...
Untitled : * This classic Zen Buddhist collection of 49 koans with commentary by Mumon was originally published in 1934, and later included in Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki's popular anthology Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. Due to non-renewal it is currently in the public domain in the US (although other parts of Zen...
27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 27. IT IS NOT MIND, IT IS NOT BUDDHA, IT IS NOT THINGS A monk asked Nansen: "Is there a teaching no master ever preached before?" Nansen said: "Yes, there is." "What is it?" asked the monk. Nansen replied: "It...
33. This Mind Is Not Buddha : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 33. THIS MIND IS NOT BUDDHA A monk asked Baso: "What is Buddha?" Baso said: "This mind is not Buddha." "Mumon's comment:" If anyone understands this, he is a graduate of Zen. If you meet a fencing-master...
3. Gutei's Finger : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 3. GUTEI'S FINGER Gutei raised his finger whenever he was asked a question about Zen. A boy attendant began to imitate him in this way. When anyone asked the boy what his master had preached about, the boy...
15. Tozan's Three Blows : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 15. TOZAN'S THREE BLOWS Tozan went to Ummon. Ummon asked him where he had come from. Tozan said: "From Sato village." Ummon asked: "In what temple did you remain for the summer?" Tozan replied: "The temple...
5. Kyogen Mounts The Tree : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 5. KYOGEN MOUNTS THE TREE Kyogen said: "Zen is like a man hanging in a tree by his teeth over a precipice. His hands grasp no branch, his feet rest on no limb, and under the tree another person asks him: 'Why...
39. Ummon's Sidetrack : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 39. UMMON'S SIDETRACK A Zen student told Ummon: "Brilliancy of Buddha illuminates the whole universe." Before he finished the phrase Ummon asked: "You are reciting another's poem, are you not?" "Yes," answered...
7. Joshu Washes The Bowl : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 7. JOSHU WASHES THE BOWL A monk told Joshu: "I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me." Joshu asked: "Have you eaten your rice porridge?" The monk replied: "I have eaten." Joshu said: "Then you had...
13. Tokusan Holds His Bowl : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 13. TOKUSAN HOLDS HIS BOWL Tokusan went to the dining room from the meditation hall holding his bowl. Seppo was on duty cooking. When he met Tokusan he said: "The dinner drum is not yet beaten. Where are you...
4. A Beardless Foreigner : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 4. A BEARDLESS FOREIGNER Wakuan complained when he saw a picture of bearded Bodhidharma: "Why hasn't that fellow a beard?" "Mumon's comment:" If you want to study Zen, you must study it with your heart. When...
6. Buddha Twirls A Flower : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 6. BUDDHA TWIRLS A FLOWER When Buddha was in Grdhrakuta mountain he turned a flower in his fingers and held it before his listeners. Every one was silent. Only Maha-Kashapa smiled at this revelation, although...
Title Page : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], THE GATELESS GATE BY EKAI, CALLED MU-MON TRANSCRIBED BY NYOGEN SENZAKI AND PAUL REPS John Murray, Los Angeles [1934] scanned, proofed and formatted , March 2007, by John Bruno Hare. This text is in the public...
41. Bodhidharma Pacifies The Mind : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 41. BODHIDHARMA PACIFIES THE MIND Bodhidharma sits facing the wall. His future successor stands in the snow and presents his severed arm to Bodhidharma. He cries: "My mind is not pacified. Master, pacify my...
12. Zuigan Calls His Own Master : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 12. ZUIGAN CALLS HIS OWN MASTER Zuigan called out to himself every day: "Master." Then he answered himself: "Yes, sir." And after that he added: "Become sober." Again he answered: "Yes, sir." "And after that,"...
14. Nansen Cuts The Cat In Two : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 14. NANSEN CUTS THE CAT IN TWO Nansen saw the monks of the eastern and western halls fighting over a cat. He seized the cat and told the monks: "If any of you say a good word, you can save the cat." No one...
36. Meeting A Zen Master On The Road : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 36. MEETING A ZEN MASTER ON THE ROAD Goso said: "When you meet a Zen master on the road you cannot talk to him, you cannot face him with silence. What are you going to do?" "Mumon's comment:" In such a case, if...
40. Tipping Over A Water Vase : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 40. TIPPING OVER A WATER VASE Hyakujo wished to send a monk to open a new monastery. He told his pupils that whoever answered a question most ably would be appointed. Placing a water vase on the ground, he...
9. A Buddha Before History : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 9. A BUDDHA BEFORE HISTORY A monk asked Seijo: "I understand that a Buddha who lived before recorded history sat in meditation for ten cycles of existence and could not realize the highest truth, and so could...
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...
10. Seizei Alone And Poor : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 10. SEIZEI ALONE AND POOR A monk named Seizei asked of Sozan: "Seizei is alone and poor. Will you give him support?" Sozan asked: "Seizei?" Seizei responded: "Yes, sir." Sozan said: "You have Zen, the best wine...
32. A Philosopher Asks Buddha : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 32. A PHILOSOPHER ASKS BUDDHA A philosopher asked Buddha: "Without words, without the wordless, will you tell me truth?" The Buddha kept silence. The philosopher bowed and thanked the Buddha, saying: "With your...
45. Who Is He : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 45. WHO IS HE? Hoen said: "The past and future Buddhas, both are his servants. Who is he?" "Mumon's comment:" If you realize clearly who he is, it is as if you met your own father on a busy street. There is no...
1. Joshu's Dog : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 1. JOSHU'S DOG A monk asked Joshu, a Chinese Zen master: "Has a dog Buddha-nature or not?" Joshu answered: "Mu." [Mu is the negative symbol in Chinese, meaning "No thing" or "Nay."] "Mumon's comment:"...
2. Hyakujo's Fox : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 2. HYAKUJO'S FOX Once when Hyakujo delivered some Zen lectures an old man attended them, unseen by the monks. At the end of each talk when the monks left so did he. But one day he remained after they had gone...
48. One Road Of Kembo : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 48. ONE ROAD OF KEMBO A Zen pupil asked Kembo: "All Buddhas of the ten parts of the universe enter the one road of Nirvana. Where does that road begin?" Kembo, raising his walking stick and drawing the figure...
16. Bells And Robes : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 16. BELLS AND ROBES Ummon asked: "The world is such a wide world, why do you answer a bell and don ceremonial robes?" "Mumon's comment:" When one studies Zen one need not follow sound or color or form. Even...
19. Everyday Life Is The Path : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 19. EVERYDAY LIFE IS THE PATH Joshu asked Nansen: "What is the path?" Nansen said: "Everyday life is the path." Joshu asked: "Can it be studied?" Nansen said: "If you try to study, you will be far away from it...
46. Proceed From The Top Of The Pole : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 46. PROCEED FROM THE TOP OF THE POLE Sekiso asked: "How can you proceed on from the top of a hundred-foot pole?" Another Zen teacher said: "One who sits on the top of a hundred-foot pole has attained a cert...
22. Kashapa's Preaching Sign : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 22. KASHAPA'S PREACHING SIGN Ananda asked Kashapa: "Buddha gave you the golden-woven robe of successorship. What else did he give you?" Kashapa said: "Ananda." Ananda answered: "Yes, brother." Said Kashapa:...
21. Dried Dung : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 21. DRIED DUNG A monk asked Ummon: "What is Buddha?" Ummon answered him: "Dried dung." "Mumon's comment:" It seems to me Ummon is so poor he cannot distinguish the taste of one food from another, or else he is...
35. Two Souls : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 35. TWO SOULS "Seijo, the Chinese girl," observed Goso, "had two souls, one always sick at home and the other in the city, a married woman with two children. Which was the true soul?" "Mumon's comment:" When...
47. Three Gates Of Tosotsu : * "The Gateless Gate", by Ekai, called Mu-mon, tr. Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps [1934], 47. THREE GATES OF TOSOTSU Tosotsu built three barriers and made the monks pass through them. The first barrier is studying Zen. In studying Zen the aim is to see one's own true nature. Now where is your true...
