Zen Koan – Hekiganroku – No. 86 – Zen Master Ummon «Everybody Has His Own Light»

The Case

Zen master Ummon spoke to his assembly and said, "Everybody has his own light. If he tries to see it, everything is darkness. What is everybody' s light?" Later, in place of the disciples he said "The halls and the gate. And again he said, "BIessing things cannot be better than nothing."

Engo's Introduction

Controlling the world, he allows not the least speck of dust to escape. He cuts off the deluded stream of thought, leaving not a drop behind. If you open your mouth, you are mistaken. If you doubt for a moment, you have missed the way. Tell me, what is the eye that has pierced the barriers?

Verse

It illuminates itself, absolutely bright. He gives a clue to the secret. Flowers have fallen, trees give no shade. Who does not see, if he looks? Seeing is non-seeing, non-seeing is seeing. Facing backward on the ox, he rides into the Buddha hall.