05. 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 did Bodhidharma come to China from India?'"

If the man in the tree does not answer, he fails; and if he does answer, he falls and loses his life. Now what shall he do?"

Mumon’s comment: In such a predicament the most talented eloquence is of no use. If you have memorized all the sutras, you cannot use them. When you can give the right answer, even though your past road was one of death, you open up a new road of life. But if you cannot answer, you should live ages hence and ask the future Buddha, Maitreya.

Kyogen is truly a fool
Spreading that ego-killing poison
That closes his pupils' mouths
And lets their tears stream from their dead eyes.


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05. Kyogen Mounts the Tree
06. Buddha Twirls a Flower »06. Buddha Twirls a Flower
09. A Buddha Before History »09. A Buddha Before History
18. Tozan's Three Pounds »18. Tozan's Three Pounds
21. Dried Dung »21. Dried Dung
22. Kashapa's Preaching Sign »22. Kashapa's Preaching Sign
23. Do Not Think Good, Do Not Think Not-Good »23. Do Not Think Good, Do Not Think Not-Good
27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things »27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things
30. This Mind Is Buddha »30. This Mind Is Buddha
32. A Philosopher Asks Buddha »32. A Philosopher Asks Buddha
34. Learning Is Not The Path »34. Learning Is Not The Path
38. An Oak Tree In The Garden »38. An Oak Tree In The Garden
39. Ummon's Sidetrack »39. Ummon's Sidetrack
40. Tipping Over A Water Vase »40. Tipping Over A Water Vase
42. The Girl Comes Out From Meditation »42. The Girl Comes Out From Meditation
49. Amban's Addition »49. Amban's Addition
04. A Beardless Foreigner »04. A Beardless Foreigner
38. An Oak Tree In The Garden »38. An Oak Tree In The Garden
41. Bodhidharma Pacifies The Mind »41. Bodhidharma Pacifies The Mind
01. Joshu's Dog »01. Joshu's Dog
02. Hyakujo's Fox »02. Hyakujo's Fox
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