Zen Koan & Mysticism – Mumonkan – Case No. 14 – Zen Master Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two

The Case

Zen master Nansen saw monks of the Eastern and Western halls quarreling over a cat. He held up the cat and said, "If you can give an answer, you will save the cat. If not, I will kill it." No one could answer, and Nansen cut the cat in two.

That evening Joshu returned, and Nansen told him of the incident. Joshu took off his sandal, placed it on his head, and walked out, "If you had been there, you would have saved the cat," Nansen remarked.

Mumon's Comment

Tell me, what did Joshu mean when he put the sandal on his head? If you can give a turning word on this, you will see that Nansen's decree was carried out with good reason. If not, "Danger!"

Verse

Had Joshu been there, He would have done the opposite; When the sword is snatched away, Even Nansen begs for his life.