Public study library
Five collections.
322 cases.
Read the koan collections freely, move case by case, and follow linked teacher names into the public teacher directory.
No account is required. Each adaptation appears only after editorial review.The cases
Shōyōroku / Congrong lu
100 cases
Book of Serenity
Shōyōroku / Congrong lu
The Book of Serenity
- CASE 1The World-Honored One Ascends the SeatCase One day the World-Honored One ascended the seat. Banshō: Today he gains no advantage. Manjusri struck the announcing gavel and said, “Attend cl…→
- CASE 2Bodhidharma's “Vast Emptiness”Case Emperor Wu of Liang asked Master Bodhidharma: Banshō: Up at dawn, he has yet to turn a profit. “What is the first principle of holy truth?” Ba…→
- CASE 3The Eastern Indian King Invites the PatriarchCase The king of an eastern Indian land invited the Twenty-Seventh Ancestor, Prajñātāra, to a vegetarian meal. Banshō: More often than not, he goes t…→
- CASE 4The World-Honored One Points to the GroundCase The World-Honored One was walking with the assembly. Banshō: Turning in step with his heels. He pointed to the ground and said, “This would be …→
- CASE 5Seigen's Price of RiceCase A monk asked Seigen, “What is the essential meaning of the Buddha-Dharma?” Banshō: A minor official often recites the statutes. Seigen said, “W…→
- CASE 6Baso's White and BlackCase A monk asked Great Master Baso, “Apart from the four propositions and cut off from the hundred negations, please directly point out for me the me…→
- CASE 7Yakusan Ascends the SeatCase Yakusan had not ascended the seat for a long time. Banshō: Movement is not as good as stillness. The rector said, “The assembly has long desire…→
- CASE 8Hyakujō's Wild FoxCase Whenever Hyakujō ascended the hall, an old man regularly listened to the Dharma and dispersed with the assembly. Banshō: Taking quiet in the mid…→
- CASE 9Nansen Cuts the CatCase One day the eastern and western halls at Nansen were fighting over a cat. Banshō: When people are at peace, they do not speak; when water is lev…→
- CASE 10The Old Woman of GodaisanCase On the road to Godaisan there was an old woman. Banshō: A farmstead beside the city; a rabbit flanking the road. Whenever a monk asked, “Which …→
- CASE 11Unmon's Two IllnessesCase Great Master Unmon said, “When the light does not penetrate and break free, there are two kinds of illness.” Banshō: Do you still feel your mout…→
- CASE 12Jizō Plants the FieldsCase Jizō asked Head Monk Xiu, “Where have you come from?” Banshō: Would it do to say you do not know where you came from? Xiu said, “From the south…→
- CASE 13Rinzai's Blind DonkeyCase When Rinzai was about to manifest extinction, he charged Sanshō: Banshō: A solicitous old woman says farewell three times as she dies. “After m…→
- CASE 14Attendant Kuo Serves TeaCase Attendant Kuo asked Tokusan, “Where have all the sages from antiquity gone?” Banshō: They are inside your nostrils. Tokusan said, “What? What?”…→
- CASE 15Kyōzan Plants His HoeCase Isan asked Kyōzan, “Where have you come from?” Banshō: It is not that he did not know where Kyōzan came from. Kyōzan said, “I came from the fie…→
- CASE 16Mayoku Shakes His StaffCase Mayoku, holding his staff, came to Zhangjing. He circled the meditation seat three times, shook the staff once, and stood there imposing and erec…→
- CASE 17Hōgen's HairsbreadthCase Hōgen asked Head Monk Xiu, “A hairsbreadth of difference, and heaven and earth hang apart. How do you understand this?” Banshō: Who dares move i…→
- CASE 18Jōshū's DogCase A monk asked Jōshū, “Does a dog have buddha-nature or not?” Banshō: Chasing a clod down the middle of the street. Jōshū said, “It has.” Banshō…→
- CASE 19Unmon's Mount SumeruCase A monk asked Unmon, “If one does not give rise to a single thought, is there still fault or not?” Banshō: A fellow whose words are pure and cond…→
- CASE 20Jizō's “Most Intimate”Case Jizō asked Hōgen, “Where are you going, senior monk?” Banshō: Why weave a net around the man? Hōgen said, “I am wandering along on foot.” Bans…→
- CASE 21Ungan Sweeps the GroundCase While Ungan was sweeping the ground— Banshō: A novice and temple boy who cannot muster strength. Dōgo said, “Far too busy and laborious.” Bans…→
- CASE 22Gantō Bows to the ShoutCase Gantō came to Tokusan, crossed the threshold, and immediately asked, “Is it ordinary or sacred?” Banshō: This thief! Tokusan immediately shoute…→
- CASE 23Roso Faces the WallCase Whenever Roso saw a monk come, he immediately faced the wall. Banshō: They have already met. Hearing of this, Nansen said, “I regularly tell hi…→
- CASE 24Seppō's SnakeCase Seppō instructed the assembly, “On South Mountain there is a turtle-nosed snake. All of you must look carefully.” Banshō: [Raising his sitting c…→
- CASE 25Enkan's Rhinoceros FanCase One day Enkan called his attendant: “Pass me the rhinoceros fan.” Banshō: Ultimately it cannot do without him. The attendant said, “The fan is …→
- CASE 26Kyōzan Points to SnowCase Kyōzan pointed to a snow lion and said, “Is there anyone who can surpass this color?” Banshō: Without noticing, Kyōzan falls on level ground. U…→
- CASE 27Hōgen Points to the CurtainCase Hōgen pointed with his hand to the curtain. Banshō: Do not say you did not know; do not say you did not see. At that moment two monks went toge…→
- CASE 28Gokoku's Three EmbarrassmentsCase A monk asked Gokoku, “What about when a crane stands on a withered pine?” Banshō: Climbing higher step by step is easy. Gokoku said, “One embar…→
- CASE 29Fuketsu's Iron OxCase While Fuketsu was residing inside the prefectural offices of Yingzhou, he ascended the hall and said: “The ancestral teachers' mind-seal resembl…→
- CASE 30Daizui's Kalpa FireCase A monk asked Daizui, “When the kalpa fire blazes through, the entire great-thousand world is destroyed. I do not yet understand: is this one dest…→
- CASE 31Unmon's Exposed PillarCase Unmon put forward a saying: “An ancient buddha communes with an exposed pillar. Which mechanism is this?” Banshō: Already fallen into seventh an…→
- CASE 32Kyōzan's Mind and EnvironmentCase Kyōzan asked a monk, “Where are you from?” Banshō: Behind a closed door he brushes up his understanding. The monk said, “I am from Youzhou.” B…→
- CASE 33Sanshō's Golden-Scaled FishCase Sanshō asked Seppō, “I do not yet understand: what does the golden-scaled fish that has passed through the net feed upon?” Banshō: It does not w…→
- CASE 34Fuketsu's One Speck of DustCase Fuketsu put forward a saying: “If one speck of dust is established, house and nation flourish.” Banshō: What is gained originally exists. “If o…→
- CASE 35Rakuho SubmitsCase Rakuho visited Kassan. Without bowing, he stood face to face with him. Banshō: Meeting, neither dismounts; each has a road ahead. Kassan said, …→
- CASE 36Baso Is UnwellCase Great Master Baso was unwell. Banshō: He does not necessarily resemble Vimalakirti. The monastery director asked, “Reverend, how is your honore…→
- CASE 37Isan's Karmic ConsciousnessCase Isan asked Kyōzan, “Suppose someone asks: ‘All sentient beings possess only karmic consciousness, vast and obscure, with no root on which to rely…→
- CASE 38Rinzai's True PersonCase Rinzai instructed the assembly: “There is a true person of no rank Banshō: Already he has laid the foundation and planted the feet. “who consta…→
- CASE 39Jōshū—Wash Your BowlCase A monk asked Jōshū, “This student has just entered the community. I beg the teacher for instruction.” Banshō: The community has not treated you …→
- CASE 40Unmon's White and BlackCase Unmon asked Kempō, “Please, teacher, answer me.” Banshō: An empty head submerged over the crown. Kempō said, “Have you reached this old monk ye…→
- CASE 41Rakuho at DeathCase As Rakuho approached death, he instructed the assembly: “Today I have one matter to ask all of you. Banshō: Still he speaks of military strategy…→
- CASE 42Nan’yō's Water PitcherCase A monk asked Nan’yō Echū Zhong of Nan’yō, “What is Lusana in the original body?” Banshō: Are you a substitute name? The Nan’yō Echū said, “Brin…→
- CASE 43Razan's Arising and CeasingCase Razan asked Gantō, “What about when arising and ceasing do not stop?” Banshō: A golden scraper and a clay person rub one another's backs. Gantō…→
- CASE 44Kōyō's Wondrous-Winged BirdCase A monk asked Reverend Pou of Kōyō, “Sagara emerges from the sea and heaven and earth grow still. What about the matter presented face to face?” …→
- CASE 45The *Perfect Enlightenment Sutra*'s Four SectionsCase The Perfect Enlightenment Sutra says: “At all times, do not give rise to deluded thoughts.” Banshō: No. “With regard to every deluded mind, al…→
- CASE 46Tokusan—Study FinishedCase Great Master Yuanming of Tokusan instructed the assembly: “Let everything be exhausted and gone. Banshō: This remains. “Even hang the mouths o…→
- CASE 47Jōshū's Cypress TreeCase A monk asked Jōshū, “What is the ancestral teacher's intent in coming from the West?” Banshō: Doluo meddles idly. Jōshū said, “The cypress tree…→
- CASE 48Vimalakirti's NondualityCase Vimalakirti asked Manjushri, “What is a bodhisattva's entry into the Dharma gate of nonduality?” Banshō: Which number is the question's place? …→
- CASE 49Tōzan Offers to Ungan's PortraitCase While Tōzan was making offerings to Ungan's portrait, Banshō: Who says it is false? he raised the earlier story about depicting the true likene…→
- CASE 50Seppō's “What Is It?”Case When Seppō was living in a hermitage, two monks came to bow to him. Banshō: Following fragrance and pursuing scent. Seeing them come, Seppō bra…→
- CASE 51Hōgen's “By Boat or by Land?”Case Hōgen asked Senior Jiao, “Did you come by boat or by land?” Banshō: It very much seems there are two kinds. Jiao said, “By boat.” Banshō: Prof…→
- CASE 52Sōzan's Dharma BodyCase Sōzan asked Senior De, “The Buddha's true Dharma body is like empty space— Banshō: The public authority does not admit even a needle. “respondi…→
- CASE 53Ōbaku's Dreg-GobblersCase Ōbaku instructed the assembly, saying, “All of you are dreg-gobblers. Banshō: Under Ōbaku's gate. “Traveling about in this way, where will you …→
- CASE 54Ungan's Great CompassionCase Ungan asked Dōgo, “What does the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion do with so many hands and eyes?” Banshō: Asking in this way, what are you schem…→
- CASE 55Seppō as Rice CookCase When Seppō served as rice cook under Tokusan, Banshō: If one does not work hard while young— one day the meal was late. Tokusan carried his bow…→
- CASE 56Master Misshi's White RabbitCase As Senior Master Misshi and Tōzan were walking, they saw a white rabbit run past in front of them. Misshi said, “Fine!” Banshō: What can be don…→
- CASE 57Gon’yō's One ThingCase The Venerable Gon’yō asked Jōshū, “What about when one does not bring a single thing?” Banshō: This is still outside the proper share. Jōshū sa…→
- CASE 58The *Diamond Sutra* on Being DespisedCase The Diamond Sutra says: “If a person is despised by others— Banshō: I become a worm in the dung. “—that person's harmful karma from former liv…→
- CASE 59Seirin's Dead SnakeCase A monk asked Seirin, “What about when this student goes straight on?” Banshō: The moment he raises a foot, he is already going in circles. Seir…→
- CASE 60Ryū Tetsuma, the Old CowCase Ryū Tetsuma arrived at Isan. Banshō: The meeting is already complete. Isan said, “Old cow, you have come.” Banshō: Provoking bees and picking …→
- CASE 61Kempō's One StrokeCase A monk asked Kempō, “The Bhagavats of the ten directions have one road, the gate of nirvāṇa. I do not yet understand—where is the roadhead?” Ban…→
- CASE 62Beiko Asks About AwakeningCase Beiko had a monk ask Kyōzan, “Do people today still rely on awakening?” Banshō: Were they ever deluded? Kyōzan said, “Awakening is certainly no…→
- CASE 63Jōshū Asks About DeathCase Jōshū asked Tōsu, “What about when one who has greatly died comes back to life?” Banshō: The sounding pole is in his hand. Tōsu said, “Night tr…→
- CASE 64Shishō's SuccessionCase Head Seat Shishō asked Hōgen, “Reverend, when you opened the hall, whom did you succeed?” Banshō: Had I known today's meddling would result, I w…→
- CASE 65Shuzan's New BrideCase A monk asked Shuzan, “What is Buddha?” Banshō: How exceedingly fresh! Shuzan said, “The new bride rides the donkey; her mother-in-law leads it.…→
- CASE 66Kyūhō's Head and TailCase A monk asked Kyūhō, “What is the head?” Banshō: Soaring high before the Buddha Awesome Voice. Kyūhō said, “Open the eyes without noticing dawn.…→
- CASE 67The *Huayan Sutra* on WisdomCase The Huayan Sutra says, “I now see universally that all sentient beings possess the Tathāgata's wisdom, virtues, and marks. Banshō: A bear turns …→
- CASE 68Kassan Wields the SwordCase A monk asked Kassan, “What about when one brushes aside the dust and sees Buddha?” Banshō: Why must you? Kassan said, “You must directly wield …→
- CASE 69Nansen's White OxCase Nansen instructed the assembly, saying, “The buddhas of the three times do not know there is. Banshō: Only because they know there is. “Cats an…→
- CASE 70Shinsan Asks About NatureCase Shinsan asked Master Xiushan, “Clearly knowing the nature that neither arises nor ceases, why is one detained by birth?” Banshō: Because it shin…→
- CASE 71Suigan's EyebrowsCase At the end of the summer retreat, Suigan instructed the assembly: Banshō: He still thinks it is too little. “All summer long I have spoken for …→
- CASE 72Chūyū's MacaqueCase Kyōzan asked Chūyū, “What is the meaning of buddha-nature?” Banshō: This lecturer is actually capable of sustaining an argument. Chūyū said, “I…→
- CASE 73Sōzan's Mourning Is CompleteCase A monk asked Sōzan, “What about when the funeral robe is not hung?” Banshō: The tiny cicada leaves its shell yet still embraces the cold branch.…→
- CASE 74Hōgen's Form and NameCase A monk asked Hōgen, “I have heard the teaching say, ‘From nonabiding as root, all dharmas are established.’ What is the root of nonabiding?” Ban…→
- CASE 75Zuigan's Constant PrincipleCase Zuigan asked Gantō, “What is the fundamental constant principle?” Banshō: If there is principle, it does not depend on a loud voice. Gantō said…→
- CASE 76Shuzan's Three PhrasesCase Shuzan instructed the assembly, “Realize the first phrase, and you become a teacher of buddhas and ancestors. Banshō: Still a descendant of Bans…→
- CASE 77Kyōzan, According to CapacityCase A monk asked Kyōzan, “Venerable, do you recognize written characters?” Banshō: What character is this? Kyōzan said, “According to my capacity.”…→
- CASE 78Unmon's FlatbreadCase A monk asked Unmon, “What is talk that surpasses buddhas and goes beyond ancestors?” Banshō: This question is far too lofty. Unmon said, “Flatb…→
- CASE 79Chōsa Advances a StepCase Chōsa sent a monk to ask Master Hui, “What about before you met Nansen?” Banshō: There is gruel in the morning. Hui remained silent for a long …→
- CASE 80Ryūge Passes the BoardCase Ryūge asked Suibi, “What is the meaning of the ancestral teacher's coming from the west?” Banshō: Each time it is raised, it is new again. Suib…→
- CASE 81Gensha Comes to the CountyCase Gensha arrived in Putian County, where varied entertainments welcomed him. The next day he asked elder Xiaotang, “Where did all of yesterday's c…→
- CASE 82Unmon on Sound and FormCase Unmon instructed the assembly: “Hear sound and awaken to the Way. Banshō: Two pellets plug the ears. “See form and clarify mind. Banshō: Two …→
- CASE 83Dōgo Tends the SickCase Isan asked Dōgo, “Where have you come from?” Banshō: The place one comes from must be distinct. Dōgo said, “I have come from tending the sick.”…→
- CASE 84Gutei's One FingerCase Whenever Master Gutei was asked anything, he only raised one finger. Banshō: Why expend so much energy? Banshō's commentary on the case Zen Mas…→
- CASE 85The Nan’yō Echū's StupaCase Emperor Suzong asked Nan’yō Echū Huizhong, “What will you require after a hundred years?” Banshō: Even now there is no shortage. The Nan’yō Ech…→
- CASE 86Rinzai's Great AwakeningCase Rinzai asked Ōbaku, “What is the exact great meaning of Buddha Dharma?” Banshō: Killing may be pardoned; sentiment and principle are hard to tol…→
- CASE 87Sozan on Being and NonbeingCase Sozan arrived at Isan and immediately asked, “I have heard the teacher say, ‘Having a phrase or having no phrase is like a vine leaning on a tree…→
- CASE 88The *Surangama Sutra* on Not SeeingCase The Surangama Sutra says: “When I do not see, why do you not see the place of my not-seeing? Banshō: What expectation is this? “If you see my …→
- CASE 89Tōzan, Where There Is No GrassCase Tōzan instructed the assembly: “Brothers, at the beginning of autumn and end of summer, some of you go east, some west. You must go where for te…→
- CASE 90Kyōzan's Formal AnnouncementCase Kyōzan dreamed that he went to Maitreya's place and occupied the second seat. Banshō: Now say: who occupied the first seat? An honored one anno…→
- CASE 91Nansen's PeonyCase Nansen was once speaking with the grand master Lu Gen, who said, “Dharma Master Sengzhao was truly remarkable. Banshō: This too is the white pig…→
- CASE 92Unmon's One TreasureCase Great Master Unmon said: “Within heaven and earth— Banshō: And what contains heaven and earth? “between the four directions and all time— Ban…→
- CASE 93Shiso Does Not UnderstandCase Shiso asked Nansen, “People do not recognize the mani jewel; one personally receives it within the tathāgata treasury. Banshō: Boast a little le…→
- CASE 94Tōzan Is UnwellCase Tōzan was unwell. A monk asked, “Venerable, though you are ill, is there someone who is not ill?” Banshō: Let him explain himself as he likes. …→
- CASE 95Rinzai's Single LineCase Rinzai asked the monastery administrator, “Where have you come from?” Banshō: Slapping his palm, he says, “From here.” The administrator said, …→
- CASE 96Kyūhō Does Not ApproveCase When Kyūhō was at Sekisō, he served as attendant. After Sekisō passed away, the assembly wanted to invite the head monk of the hall to succeed hi…→
- CASE 97Emperor Dōkō's HeadclothCase The Dōkō emperor said to Xinghua, “We have taken possession of one treasure of the Central Plain. Banshō: Boast a little less. “It is only that…→
- CASE 98Tōzan Is Always IntimateCase A monk asked Tōzan, “Among the three bodies, which body does not fall within the various enumerations?”[^2] Banshō: Three in front and three beh…→
- CASE 99Unmon's Bowl and BucketCase A monk asked Unmon, “What is the dust-mote-by-dust-mote samadhi?”[^3] Banshō: He has a wish and does not scatter sand. Unmon said, “Rice in the…→
- CASE 100Rōya's Mountains and RiversCase A monk asked the venerable Jue of Rōya, “If it is fundamentally so in purity, how did mountains, rivers, and the great earth suddenly arise?”[^4]…→