Mumon, The Gateless Gate — 5. Kyogen Mounts the Tree (1934)
“ Kyogen said: "Zen is like a man hanging in a tree by his teeth over a precipice. His hands grasp no branch, his feet rest on no limb, and under the tree another person asks him: 'Why did Bodhidharma come to China from India?'"If the man in the tree does not answer, he fails; and if he does answer, he falls and loses his life. ”
Mumon, The Gateless Gate — 5. Kyogen Mounts the Tree (1934)
“ When you can give the right answer, even though your past road was one of death, you open up a new road of life. But if you cannot answer, you should live ages hence and ask the future Buddha, Maitreya. Kyogen is truly a fool Spreading that ego-killing poison That closes his pupils' mouths And lets their tears stream from their dead eyes. ”
