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Zen Zomics: Ordinary Mind

Mumonkan - Case 19

Jôshû earnestly asked Nansen,
"What is the Way?"

Nansen said,
"The ordinary mind is the Way."

Joshû said,
"Should I direct myself toward it or not?"

Nansen said,
"If you try to turn toward it, you go against it."

Joshû said,
"If I do not try to turn toward it, how can I know that it is the Way?"

Nansen said,
"The Way does not belong to knowing or not-knowing. Knowing is delusion; not-knowing is a blank consciousness.
When you have really reached the true Way beyond all doubt, you will find it as vast and boundless as the great empty firmament.
How can it be talked about on a level of right and wrong?"

At these words, Jôshû was suddenly enlightened.

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