What is the Buddha?

The Reading:

THE CASE

A monk asked Baso, "What is the Buddha?"  Baso answered, "Not mind, not Buddha."

THE COMMENTARY

If you understand what Baso said, your study of Zen is at an end.

-Mumon

Case XXXIII, Mumonkan, R.H. Blyth

Discussion:

This commentary elevates Mumon to the heights enjoyed by other Zen Masters.  Few will understand him, few will remember him.

It is interesting to note the difference between the teaching offered by Baso, and that offered by Mumon.  Blyth on occasion takes an interest in how the teach of Zen changes, reflecting not just the world that each successive Zen Master lives in, but the context of each successive teacher against the backdrop of the teachers that came before.  Teaching Zen is not teaching what is already taught, but it is not ignoring the heritage either.

On the one hand, Baso says what Zen is not, and Mumon says what Zen is.  On the other hand, Baso points directly to Zen, whereas Mumon points to a man, pointing.  Both are amazing teachers, but they are not teaching the same thing.  Both are teaching Zen.