Zen & Buddhism

Mu - The Gateless Gate

Joshu's Dog - does a dog have Buddha nature? Mu!

A monk asked Joshu: Does a dog have Buddha nature? Joshu answered: Mu! (No/Nothing). This is the gateless gate. Not a logical answer but a barrier that shatters conceptual mind. Become Mu completely.

This barrier is the ultimate test. Pass through and walk with all Zen masters.

Mumonkan

Written about in

• What Zen says about doubt

  Joshu's "Mu" is the first case of the Mumonkan and the standard first barrier for Rinzai students. Notice what it is not: an argument, a definition, or a comfort. The gate and the obstruction are the same object.