The Gateless Gate/Meeting A Zen Master On The Road

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The Gateless Gate  (1228) by Mumon, translated by Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps 36. Meeting a Zen Master on the Road

A Buffalo Passes Through The Enclosure→

Koan number 36 out of 49 in this work (published 1228, translated 1934)

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 you can answer him intimately, your realization will be beautiful, but if you cannot, you should look about without seeing anything.

Meeting a Zen master on the road,

Face him neither with words nor silence.

Give him an uppercut

And you will be called one who understands Zen.