THE CASE
One day Tokusan came towards the refectory from the Meditation Hall, carrying his bowls. Seppo called out to him, "Where are you off to with your bowls, when the bell has not rung and the drum has not been struck." Tokusan went back at once to his own room. Seppo told this occurrence to Ganto, who remarked, "Tokusan though he is, he has not penetrated into the deepest truth, the last word of Zen." Hearing of this, Tokusan sent an acolyte to ask Ganto to come, and said to him, "Have you any criticism to make of me?" Ganto whispered his meaning to him. Saying nothing Tokusan took leave of him. The next day, ascending the rostrum, Tokusan was different from before. Ganto, going towards the front of the Hall, clapping his hands and laughing, said, "What a happy thing! The old man has got hold of the last word of Zen. From now onwards nobody will be able to get a rise out of him!"
THE COMMENTARY
As for what is called, "the Last Word of Zen," neither Ganto nor Tokusan ever heard of such a thing. When you look into the matter, they're only a set of puppets.
THE VERSE
If you understand the first word of Zen
You understand the last;
But these two words
Are not one word.
-Mumon
Mumonkan, Case 13
R.H. Blyth
Discussion:
This is Mumon's choices of cases, his commentary, and his verse. In explaining so carefully, he gives away the secret without anyone finding out what it is. There is nothing I can add. I can only point out that while you prepared for a meal, Mumon has served you without ringing the bell or striking the drum.
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