Koan

Yanyang asked Zhaozhou, “I don’t bring a single thing.”

Zhaozhou said, “Put it down.”

Yanyang said, “Put what down?”

Zhaozhou said, “Then pick it up.”

–Quoted in Cleary, Meditating with Koans

Koan

A student asks a Teacher, “When will I have enlightenment?”

The Teacher replies, “When you understand it is Today.”

Koan

Liang Wudi, Emperor of South China, asked Bodhidharma, “What is the highest meaning of the holy truths?”

Bodhidharma said, “That they are without holiness.”

–Quoted in Cleary, Meditating with Koans.

Koan

Zhaozhou said, “Finding the Ultimate Path is not difficult. Just avoid picking and choosing.”

–Quoted in Cleary, Meditating with Koans.

Koan

A monk named Huichao asked Fayan, “What is Buddha?”

Fayan replied, “You are Huichao.”

–Quoted in Cleary, Meditating with Koans.

Koan

Zhaozhou asked Touzi, “When one has died the great death in what fashion does he return to earth?”
Touzi said, “He must return in broad daylight.”

–Quoted in Cleary, Meditating with Koans

Koan

A monk asked Yunmen, “What is pure Dharmakaya?”
Yunmen said, “A flowering hedge.”

Koan

Heshan imparted this saying: “Practicing and studying is called ‘learning.’ Being at the end of your studies is called ‘being close.’ Going beyond these two is real going beyond.”
A monk came forward and asked, “What is real going beyond.”
Heshan said, “Knowing how to beat the drum.”
The monk asked, “What is the real truth?”
Heshan said, “Knowing how to beat the drum.”
The monk asked, “When a transcendant being comes, how to you receive him?”
Heshan said, “Knowing how to beat the drum.”
–Quoted in Cleary, Meditating with Koans

Koan

A monk said to Zhaozhou, “I have just entered the Zen community and I request you to instruct me, Master.”
Zhaozhou said, “Have you eaten yet?”
The monk said, “I have.”
Zhaozhou said, “Then go wash your bowl.”

Koan

Yangshan dreamt that he went to Maitreya Buddha’s house and occupied the third seat in the assembly. A venerable one pounded the gavel and said, “Today the one in the third seat will expound the Dharma.”
Yangshan stood, pounded the gavel, and said, “The Dharma of the Great Vehicle is beyond all the permutations of affirmation and denial. Listen carefully!”
–Quoted in Cleary, Meditating with Koans