The Gateless Checkpoint of the Zen Lineage

Chan Zong Wumen Guan (J. Mumonkan)

禅宗無門關

By Wumen Huikai (1183-1260, J. Mumon Ekai)

Translated by Gregory Wonderwheel © 2007

12. Yan Calls “Master”

Venerable Ruiyan Yan called to himself every day, “Honorable Master," and replied to himself, “Yes!.”

Then he would say, "Wear wakefulness!"

"Yes sir!"

"At all times on different days, do not accept people’s deceptions!"

"Yes sir, yes sir!"

Wumen Says: Old boy Ruiyan buys himself and sells himself; he plays with putting forth so many God heads and Devil faces. For what reason, eh? One kind calls; one kind answers. One kind is wide awake; one kind does not accept people’s deceptions. Know that "before you depend on wearing anything" is still not a correct view. Also, if you imitate him altogether, that is the view of a wild fox.

The Ode says:

The person of the path of study does not recognize reality.

Simply observe what is in front of you to know and recognize God

And the origin of countless kalpas of coming births and deaths.

The call of the foolish person activates the origin of the next person.

[MM 23]

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This page last edited September 08, 2007.