(This message was delivered on April 16, 2023, at the Seicho-No-Ie New York Center.)
Today, I will talk about Zen Monk Nansen (Nanquan).
“Killing the Cat of Nansen” is a koan in Zen Buddhism. A koan is a collection of questions and answers used in Zen practice to help practitioners attain enlightenment. Koans are presented by Zen teachers to their students to test their progress.
The book, Gateless Gate, is a collection of 48 koans. Each koan has a Case number, Commentary (analysis) and a Verse (the author’s inspiration).
Founder Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi interpreted this koan, “Killing the Cat of Nansen,” Case 14 of the Gateless Gate, in his book, Mumomkan Kaishaku [Interpretation of Gateless Gate].
Case 14 “Killing the Cat of Nanzen”
The Western and Eastern Halls were competitive opponents and they often argued. They started arguing again and Master Nansen wanted to stop them. So, he showed a cat to them and asked them what was the real nature of the cat. If they answered, he said he would spare the cat’s life. Otherwise, he would kill the cat. Unfortunately, no one was able to answer his question because everyone had different points of view about cats. One thought cats were thieves who steal meals from the kitchen. One thought the cat was good for shamisen guitars. Everyone had different views because they were all different people with different backgrounds and opinions. Therefore, they could not agree on the answer to his question. Master Nansen then killed the cat.
When Joshu, one of the disciples of this Zen temple, returned in the evening, Master Nansen told him what happened and asked him what he would have done. Joshu took off his sandal, put it on his head, and walked off. Nansen said, “If you had been here, the cat would have been saved!”
The following commentary and verse come from the website of Rochester Zen Center as follows:
The Commentary
Just say, what is the real meaning of Joshu’s putting his sandal on his head? If you can give a turning word on this point, you will see that Nansen’s action was not in vain. But if not, beware!
The Verse
Had Joshu only been there, he would have taken charge. He would have snatched away the sword, and Nansen would have begged for his life.
Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi wrote that each student saw the cat from different angles and had different perceptions, so the phenomenal nature of the cat was defined depending on how a person perceived it. All conflicts and arguments originated from different beliefs and perceptions because each person only saw and believed what he knew. We must think beyond appearances and phenomena.
Everyone has different perceptions and backgrounds regarding cats, but there is no real truth in appearances in this phenomenal world. Master Nansen cut the cat and killed its phenomenal appearance to kill the origin of all delusive thoughts. When an appearance disappears, conflicts or fights also disappear.
Joshu realized the truth that there is no Truth in appearances in this phenomenal world so when he put his sandal on his head and walked off he presented his True Nature in his actions. The action of putting sandals on his head instead of his feet was his way of killing the origin of all delusive thoughts. Everyone agrees that sane or ordinary people do not put sandals on their heads so there was no argument. Joshu showed that appearance, form, or phenomena is not what causes conflict. Conflict begins in the mind. When the mind changes, the appearance or form will change.
The verse said, “Joshu would have snatched away the sword, and Nansen would have begged for his life.” If Joshu had been there while Master Nansen tried to kill the cat, Joshu would have taken Nansen’s sword and Nansen might have been injured by this sward.
When you have problems because of appearances, it is your thought or your mind that manifests that appearance. So, when you try to destroy the problem or its appearance, this is but a temporary solution. You must solve the original cause of the problem which is created in your mind.
When you observe current problems in the world such as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, global warming and climate change, school and/or bank shooting incidents, etc. they are all caused by human minds. Although arbitration efforts will help alleviate damages, it is not a fundamental solution. Therefore, Seicho-No-Ie always teaches us about the essence of human beings and our True Image. We also learn that we are the masters of our lives and create our own destinies by using the mind’s power.
Last week I spoke about the real meaning of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection which is that we are all children of God and a sinless existence. Zen Buddhism teaches the same thing. We must use our minds to create a wonderful future because we already have greatness within us, we have Buddha’s nature, and this world is the world of the Boddhisatva Who Reflects the Sounds of the World.
I will read the third day’s prayer of the Thirty Prayers for Daily Recitation and conclude today’s lecture: (omitting the prayer)
Thank you very much.
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