A monk asked Joshu [a Chinese Zen master], "Has a dog Buddha-nature or not?"
Joshu answered, "Mu." [meaning: not have or without]
The Japanese and Korean term 'mu' (Japanese: 無; Korean: 무) or Chinese wú (traditional Chinese: 無; simplified Chinese: 无), meaning "not have; without", is a key word in Buddhism, especially Zen traditions. [Wikipedia]
Wandering Ronin commentary: In the opinion of many, Joshu's Mu is the single greatest and most useful koan of all time to followers of Zen. Many years ago, I used this "mu" in my own practice and came to my second insight with it. When I at first tried to use it, this mu was infuriating! What is this stupid but mysterious word, and what did it have to do with anything? Mu. Alright, let's visualize mu everywhere. Still not enough. Forget it, mu is ridiculous. Was mu some kind of trick, and are the masters laughing at us? I didn't even know how to pronounce it. More practice, more sitting, more nothing. Mu.
Practice some more, sit in zazen with it more. Okay, perhaps I should trust the Zen master Joshu; I'm sure he knew what he was talking about. More mu. Mu? Don't let it go for days, even dream about it if you must the books said. Then, my mind was trapped and all concepts and thoughts were trapped. There was no where to turn; no world, just mu. No self, no other, just mu. The ridiculous word left and took every false construct in my mind with it.
Of course, being somewhat new at this whole Zen business, the mind was not fully ready for the concept of no concepts. I had to replace the world with another concept using skillful means at the time. I finally saw oneness through Mu. Buddha-nature flowed everywhere, a dark silvery substance that I created like liquid metal just underneath the surface of everything. Sometimes rock solid, sometimes flowing liquid, but always there. In my veins, in your veins, in mountains, rivers and forests. No mu, no self, no other. There were no distances! There is freedom now, somewhat like a ghost, but even when forgotten I've never forgotten this Mu. I appreciate this, Joshu.
Submitted February 19, 2018 at 08:45PM by WanderingRonin77 http://ift.tt/2ECkjRg
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