Swordsmen are rumored to solve problems in a flash, drawing from their mighty Hara and, if necessary, with the help of their inherited 100-year-old family sword. So, what’s your answer to tricky Zen Koans?
The Mu (無) Koan, the most difficult and notorious of them all (it’s said to stump all Rinzai monks). The question: »Does a dog have Buddha-nature?« Joshu’s (a monk’s) answer: »Mu« (= nothing). The Swordsman’s answer: A quick bark like a dog, then beats it. Problem solved bloodlessly.
Shuzan held up his staff and asked: »If you call this a staff, you deny its essence. If you call this not a staff, you deny the fact. So, what do you call this?« The Swordsman’s solution: Break the staff – no staff, no stupid questions. Case closed.
Basho said to the monks: »If you have a stick, I will give you one. If you have no stick, I will take it from you.« The Swordsman’s response: »I only trust my sword.« Check!