禅Masters

Mayu Baoche

Yunmen

Mayu Baoche

Unknown – c. 823

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Mayu Baoche was a Yunmen school master known for a famous koan about a fan. A monk asked Mayu why he was using a fan when the nature of wind is permanent and all-pervading. Mayu just fanned himself. The monk asked again, and Mayu continued fanning. This exchange points to the relationship between principle and practice—knowing that the wind is everywhere does not eliminate the need to fan oneself.

This koan became important in Dogen's Shobogenzo, where he uses it to explore the relationship between Buddha-nature and practice. If Buddha-nature is already present everywhere, why practice? Because practice is itself the expression and actualization of that nature. Mayu's simple act of fanning becomes, in Dogen's reading, a profound statement about the necessity and meaning of continuous practice.

Names

dharma · enMayu Baoche
alias · enMa-yu Pao-ch'ê
alias · enMayoku Hôtetsu

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Teachings

  • dialogueMayu's Fan

    (traditional attribution)

    Mayu was fanning himself. A monk came and said, "The nature of wind is constant and all-pervading. There is no place it does not reach. Why then do you fan yourself?" Mayu said, "You understand that the nature of wind is constant, but you do not yet understand the meaning of reaching every place." The monk said, "What is the meaning of reaching every place?" Mayu just kept fanning himself. The monk bowed deeply.

    Speaker: Mayu Baoche

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