Baling Haojian [W-G: Pa-ling Hao-chien / Haryo Kokan]

Baling Haojian was a Dharma heir of Yunmen Wenyan. On the occasion of his enlightenment, he presented Yunmen with what have come to be called the “Three Pivotal Words.” Yunmen was so pleased with them that he told Baling, “After I’ve died, when the anniversary of my death comes around, you won’t need to carry out the traditional ceremonies. Just recite these three words and that will be sufficient to repay my tutelage.”

The Three Pivotal Words were Baling’s replies to three questions:

To the question, “What is Zen?”, Baling said, “Filling a silver bowl with snow.”

To the question, “What is the Blown Hair Sword?” [a sword so sharp that a hair blown onto it is cut], Baling said, “The tip of each branch of coral supports the moon.”

And to the question, “What is Dao?”, Baling said, “A bright-eyed man falls into a well.”

Zen Masters of China: 262, 278-79

Dongshan Shouchu [W-G: Tung-shan Shou-shu / J: Tozan Shusho]

 

Dongshan Shouchu was a Dharma heir of Yunmen Wenyan. A monk once asked him, “Who is the Buddha?” 

Shouchu’s famous reply was, “Three measures of hemp.”

Zen Masters of China: 277-78

Muzhou Daozong [W-G: Mu-chou Tao-tsung / J: Bokuju]

 

A monk asked Muzhou Daozong, “How can we escape from the repetitive need to get dressed and eat every day?”       

“We get dressed and we eat,” Muzhou told him.

“I don’t understand.”

“In that case, get dressed and get something to eat.”

Zen Masters of China: 270-71