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

46. Step Forward from the Top of the Pole

Venerable Shishuang said, "So, how do you step forward from the top of a one hundred foot pole?”

Also, a virtuous one of old said,

“A person, for shelter, sits on top of a one hundred foot pole.

Even if he is able to enter like that, it is not yet the real.

He must step forward from the top of the one hundred foot pole.

The world of ten directions manifests the complete body.”

Wumen says: If your step is able to advance, if your body is able to fly, then instead of disliking, what place is not fit to be esteemed? Thus, supposing you are like that, just say, so how do you step forward from the top of a one hundred foot pole? Hah!

The Ode says:

One-eyed, but it is the eye in the gate of the crown.

It is a mistake to conclude the stars are in a shallow bowl.

Able to disregard body and abandon life,

One of the blind leads the multitude of the blind.

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This page last edited September 08, 2007.