David Given Schwarm

A monk asked Jôshû, “Does the dog have buddha-nature, or not?” Jôshû said, “It has” The monk said, “If it has it, why did it creep into that skin bag?” Jôshû said, “Because it does so knowingly.” Another monk asked, “Does the dog have buddha-nature, or not?” Jôshû said, “It has not”. The monk said,…

Hôgen asked Shuzanshu, “‘If there is only a hairsbreadth of difference, it is the distance between heaven and earth.’ How do you understand that?” Shuzanshu said, “If there is only a hairsbreadth of difference, it is the distance between heaven and earth.” Hôgen said, “If that’s your understanding, how could you ever attain IT?” Shuzanshu…