Mumonkan ~ The Gateless Gate

(Chin. Wu-wen kuan; Jap. Mumonkan)

The author is Chinese Ch'an monk Mumon Ekai.

The work was compiled in the early 13th century by Chinese monk Mumon in 1228.

Each koan is accompanied by a commentary and verse by Mumon.

This English translation is by the late Zen master Katsuki Sekida.

Mumon's Preface

Buddhism makes mind its foundation and no-gate its gate.

Now, how do you pass through this no-gate?

It is said that things coming in through the gate can never be your own treasures. What is gained from external circumstances will perish in the end.

However, such a saying is already raising waves when there is no wind. It is cutting unblemished skin.

As for those who try to understand through other people's words, they are striking at the moon with a stick; scratching a shoe, whereas it is the foot that itches. What concern have they with the truth?

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