Preaching from the Third Seat
In a dream Kyozen went to Maitreya's Pure Land. He recognized himself
seated in the third seat in the abode of Maitreya. Someone announced:
`Today the one who sits in the third seat will preach.'
Kyozen arose and, hitting the gavel, said: `The truth of Mahayana
teaching is transcendent, above words and thought. Do you
understand?'
Mumon's Comment: I want to ask you monks: Did he preach or did he not?
When he opens his mouth he is lost. When he seals his mouth he is
lost. If he does not open it, if he does not seal it, he is 108,000
miles from the truth.
In the light of day,
Yet in a dream he talks of a dream.
A monster among monsters,
He intended to deceive the whole crowd.
A Zen koan from the classic collection The Gateless Gate.
Original transcription by Ben Walter and Adam Fuller of iBiblio. | 
