Bashõ's Staff: If you call it a staff, you will enter hell like an arrow.

The Mumonkan Case 44: Bashõ's Staff

Bashõ Osho said to his disciples, "If you have a staff, I will give you a staff.

If you have no staff, I will take it from you."

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Mumon's Comment

It helps me wade across a river when the bridge is down. It accompanies me to the village on a moonless night.

If you call it a staff, you will enter hell like an arrow.

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Mumon's Verse

The depths and shallows of the world

Are all in its grasp.

It supports the heaven and sustains the earth.

Everywhere, it enhances the doctrine.

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Wandering Ronin commentary: If you call it a staff, you will enter hell like an arrow... so what do you call it?

Submitted May 30, 2019 at 01:32AM by WanderingRoninXIII http://bit.ly/311YemS