Ummon and a Mistake

The Reading:

THE CASE


A monk once asked about "The radiance shines" and so on, but before he could finish the first line Ummon interrupted him, and said, "Aren't these the words of Chosetsu Shusai?"  The monk replied, "Yes, they are," Ummon said, "You made a slip of the tongue."  Afterwards, Shishin brought the matter up, and said, "Telll me, how did the monk make a slip of the tongue?"


THE COMMENTARY


If in regard to this episode you have grasped Ummon's unapproachable method, and know how the monk made his slip of the tongue, you are in a position to be a teacher of men and gods, but if not you are not yet clear about it, you have not even saved yourself.

Case 39, Mumonkan, R.H. Blyth

Discussion:

It is easy to ask questions about Zen, but difficult to give answers.  Ummon question contains the answer, just as Mumon's commentary mocks the answer.

This reminds me of an old question about learning... how do you learn?  By being told the answer?  When you know the answer without understanding the problem, you are like a dog taught to bark  when commanded.  Look what Ummon saves you from!  You could be a dog, barking about Zen.  Look what Mumon saves you from, Ummon!