Mumonkan / Wumenguan · CASE 34
Wisdom Is Not the Way
The Gateless Gate
Case
Nansen said, “Mind is not Buddha. Wisdom is not the Way.”
Verse
When the sky is clear, the sun comes out; when rain falls, the ground gets wet. He has said everything without reserve— I only fear you cannot believe it.1
Footnotes 1
- The verse likens the statement to manifest facts, but Wumen's comment prevents “obvious” from becoming “trivial” or merely propositional. ↩
About this version and its sources
- Full source citation
- 智不是道 — CBETA T2005: T48n2005_p0297b09–p0297b15.
- Method
- Direct critical-edition translation from the cited received base text. Source claims, hagiography, uncertainty, and unresolved readings remain identified in the notes and project record.
- Editorial uncertainty
- Independent philological and reader review remain pending.
- Rights
- Project translation © Tulsa Zen Center Critical Edition contributors. Source text is cited by edition; redistribution policy requires final organizational approval.
- Revision identifier
- 8df66a90502f
Wumen's commentary
Nansen may be called an old man who does not know shame. The moment he opens his stinking mouth, he broadcasts the family's disgrace. Even so, few people recognize the kindness.