禅Masters

Jinhua Juzhi

Yunmen

Jinhua Juzhi

Unknown – c. 900

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Jinhua Juzhi, known in Japanese as Gutei, is the subject of one of the most famous koans in the tradition—case 3 of the Mumonkan, "Gutei Raises a Finger." He learned from Hangzhou Tianlong the practice of raising one finger in response to every question, and this single gesture became his entire teaching. Whenever he was asked about the Dharma, he simply raised one finger.

The story becomes dramatic when a boy attendant begins imitating Juzhi, also raising his finger when asked about the master's teaching. When Juzhi discovers this, he cuts off the boy's finger. As the boy runs away screaming, Juzhi calls out to him. The boy turns around, and Juzhi raises his finger. At that moment, the boy is awakened. This violent and paradoxical story explores the difference between imitation and genuine understanding—the finger must be one's own, not borrowed.

Names

dharma · enJinhua Juzhi
alias · enChin-hua Chü-chih
alias · enGutei Chikan

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Teachings

  • koanGutei's Finger

    Mumonkan Case 3

    Gutei raised his finger whenever he was asked a question about Zen. A boy attendant began to imitate him in this way. When anyone asked the boy what his master had preached about, the boy would raise his finger. Gutei heard about the boy's mischief. He seized him and cut off his finger. The boy cried and ran away. Gutei called and stopped him. When the boy turned his head to Gutei, Gutei raised up his own finger. In that instant the boy was enlightened. When Gutei was about to pass from this world he gathered his monks around him. "I attained my finger-Zen," he said, "from my teacher Tenryu, and in my whole life I could not exhaust it." Then he passed away. Mumon’s comment: Enlightenment, which Gutei and the boy attained, has nothing to do with a finger. If anyone clings to a finger, Tenryu will be so disappointed that he will annihilate Gutei, the boy, and the clinger all together. Gutei cheapens the teaching of Tenryu, Emancipating the boy with a knife. Compared to the Chinese god who pushed aside a mountain with one hand Old Gutei is a poor imitator.

    tr. Nyogen Senzaki, Paul Reps, 1934

    Speaker: Jinhua Juzhi, Commentator: Wumen Huikai

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