Koan – Mumonkan – Case No. 38 – A Buffalo Passes the Window

The Case

Zen master Goso said, "A buffalo passes by the window. His head, horns, and four legs all go past. But why can't the tail pass too?"

Mumon's Comment

If you make a complete about-face, open your eye, and give a turning word on this point, you will be able to repay the four kinds of love that have favored you and help the sentient beings in the three realms who follow you. If you are still unable to do this, return to this tail and reflect upon it, and then for the first time you will realize something.

Verse

Passing by, it falls into a ditch; Coming back, all the worse, it is lost. This tiny little tail, What a strange thing it is!