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> 7 quotes tagged "sudden-insight"
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A monk asked Joshu, 'Does a dog have Buddha nature?' Joshu answered, 'Mu!'Mumonkan, Case 1
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Whenever Gutei was asked about Zen, he simply raised one finger. A young attendant began to imitate him. Gutei cut off the boy's finger. As the boy ran away in pain, Gutei called to him. When he turned, Gutei raised his finger. The boy was enlightened.Mumonkan, Case 3
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Monks of the eastern and western halls were disputing about a cat. Nansen held up the cat and said, 'If you can say a word of Zen, I will spare the cat. If not, I will cut it in two.' No one could answer. Nansen cut the cat. That evening Joshu returned. Nansen told him what had happened. Joshu took off his sandals, put them on his head, and walked out. Nansen said, 'If you had been there, the cat would have been saved.'Mumonkan, Case 14
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A monk asked Unmon, 'What is Buddha?' Unmon answered, 'A dry shit-stick.'Mumonkan, Case 21
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Goso said, 'Seijo and her soul were separated. Which was the real Seijo?'Mumonkan, Case 35
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A monk said to Joshu, 'I have just entered this monastery. Please teach me.' Joshu said, 'Have you had your breakfast?' 'Yes, I have,' replied the monk. Joshu said, 'Then go wash your bowl.' Later another monk came and Joshu said, 'Go drink tea.'Traditional Zen
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A monk asked Baling, 'What is the Blown Hair Sword?' Baling said, 'Each branch of coral holds up the moon.'Blue Cliff Record, Case 13