Exchange with Emperor Hanazono

Text

Emperor Hanazono asked Daito, 'What is the fundamental principle of Buddhism?' Daito replied, 'A cloud resting on the mountaintop.' The Emperor asked, 'What is Buddha?' Daito said, 'The cat crouches, waiting for the mouse.' The Emperor said, 'What does this mean?' Daito said, 'Your Majesty will understand when you stop looking for the meaning.'

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Speaker
  Shuho Myocho

Lineage: Rinzai

By Shuho Myocho

• Death Verse of Daito Kokushiverse
• Admonition to the Assembly at Daitokujisermon

From Writings of Daito Kokushi

• Death Verse of Daito Kokushi
• Admonition to the Assembly at Daitokuji

Sources

• contentWikisource — English-language free library

  Traditional account of Daito Kokushi and Emperor Hanazono

  Writings of Daito Kokushi: Exchange with Emperor Hanazono