禅Masters

Dongshan Shouchu

Nanyue line

Dongshan Shouchu

910 – 990

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Dongshan Shouchu—not to be confused with Dongshan Liangjie of the Caodong school—was a Chan master in the Nanyue lineage who taught on Mount Dong. He appears in the Mumonkan (Gateless Barrier, case 15) in a famous exchange about "sixty blows." When asked why he deserved sixty blows from his teacher, the ensuing dialogue became important koan material, explored by generations of students as an investigation into the nature of responsibility and understanding.

Dongshan Shouchu's teaching maintained the direct and forceful style characteristic of the broader Nanyue tradition. His presence in the Mumonkan and other koan collections ensured that his teaching, though preserved in only fragmentary form, continued to challenge and provoke practitioners long after his own lifetime.

Names

dharma · enDongshan Shouchu
alias · enTôsan Shusho
alias · enTung-shan Shou-ch'u

Teachers

Students

Teachings

  • koanTozan's Three Blows

    Mumonkan Case 15

    Tozan went to Ummon. Ummon asked him where he had come from. Tozan said: "From Sato village." Ummon asked: "In what temple did you remain for the summer?" Tozan replied: "The temple of Hoji, south of the lake." "When did you leave there?" asked Ummon, wondering how long Tozan would continue with such factual answers. "The twenty-fifth of August," answered Tozan. Ummon said: "I should give you three blows with a stick, but today I forgive you." The next day Tozan bowed to Ummon and asked: "Yesterday you forgave me three blows. I do not know why you thought me wrong." Ummon, rebuking Tozan's spiritless responses, said: "You are good for nothing. You simply wander from one monastery to another." Before Ummon's words were ended Tozan was enlightened. Mumon’s comment: Ummon fed Tozan good Zen food. If Tozan can digest it, Ummon may add another member to his family. In the evening Tozan swam around in a sea of good and bad, but at dawn Ummon crushed his nut shell. After all, he wasn't so smart. Now, I want to ask: Did Tozan deserve the three blows? If you say yes, not only Tozan but every one of you deserves them. If you say no, Ummon is speaking a lie. If you answer this question clearly, you can eat the same food as Tozan. The lioness teaches her cubs roughly; The cubs jump and she knocks them down. When Ummon saw Tozan his first arrow was light; His second arrow shot deep.

    tr. Nyogen Senzaki, Paul Reps, 1934

    Commentator: Wumen Huikai, Speaker: Dongshan Shouchu

  • koanTozan's Three Pounds

    Mumonkan Case 18

    A monk asked Tozan when he was weighing some flax: "What is Buddha?" Tozan said: "This flax weighs three pounds." Mumon’s comment: Old Tozan's Zen is like a clam. The minute the shell opens you see the whole inside. However, I want to ask you: Do you see the real Tozan? Three pounds of flax in front of your nose, Close enough, and mind is still closer. Whoever talks about affirmation and negation Lives in the right and wrong region.

    tr. Nyogen Senzaki, Paul Reps, 1934

    Commentator: Wumen Huikai, Speaker: Dongshan Shouchu

  • koanWho Is He?

    Mumonkan Case 45

    Hoen said: "The past and future Buddhas, both are his servants. Who is he?" Mumon’s comment: If you realize clearly who he is, it is as if you met your own father on a busy street. There is no need to ask anyone whether or not your recognition is true. Do not fight with another's bow and arrow. Do not ride another's horse. Do not discuss another's faults. Do not interfere with another's work.

    tr. Nyogen Senzaki, Paul Reps, 1934

    Commentator: Wumen Huikai, Speaker: Dongshan Shouchu

  • dialogueThree Pounds of Flax

    A monk asked Dongshan, "What is Buddha?" Dongshan said, "Three pounds of flax."

    Speaker: Dongshan Shouchu

Master Record Sources