M.V. Montgomery Joshu Holds a Press Conference A monk asked Joshu, a Chinese Zen master: “Has a dog Buddha-nature or not?” Joshu answered: “Mu.” [Mu is the negative symbol in Chinese, meaning “No thing” or “Nay.”] –Reps and Senzaki 1. Don’t go there. No comment. Mu and mu. The Blessed One was silent on such matters. You won’t catch me in that fox-trap, young man. 2. Stupid question! Would you set bounds around enlightenment? Is it important to measure yourself to a dog? Please retreat to your ego-doghouse. 3. Always rationalizing! Burying bones of yes and no. Measuring out the Buddha-nature in dollops, as if to purchase it by the pound. 4. Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? No talking: doing. Shakyamuni is not your master. Better to hold one’s own leash. 5. Better still, not to have spoken or to have repeated such a platitude at all. Winter comes. Who is there to ignite your pilot-light? Answer quickly.
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