禅Toyo Eicho

proverb

Only the Tree Knows

Muromachi

Traditionally attributed

Text

A capping phrase is a leaf detached from the tree. To know what the leaf says, return it to the tree of your own practice. Only the tree knows where each leaf belongs.

tr. Zen Lineage editorial

license: cc_by

Attribution

Lineage: Rinzai

By Toyo Eicho

Sources

  • contentZen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice

    Hori, Victor Sōgen

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Attribution status: traditional — see editorial policy for what this means.

1 supporting citation on record (see Sources above).

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