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