The Gateless Gate/It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things

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The Gateless Gate
by Mumon, translated by Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps
27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things
823778The Gateless Gate — 27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not ThingsNyogen Senzaki and Paul RepsMumon

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 is not mind, it is not Buddha, it is not things."

Mumon’s comment: Old Nansen gave away his treasure-words. He must have been greatly upset.
Nansen was too kind and lost his treasure.
Truly, words have no power.
Even though the mountain becomes the sea,
Words cannot open another's mind.