Mind is Buddha
Mind is Buddha is the phrase for one who wants medicine while he has no disease.
No Mind, No Buddha is given to those who have been cured of disease
but still cling to medicine.
A monk asked Baso, Why do you teach that Mind is Buddha?
In connection with Mind is Buddha, there is an interesting story in Nanbanji Kohai-ki (History of Nanbanji):
In the 16th century, a great religious debate was held at Nanbanji between Buddhists and a Portugese Catholic Father
who was much favored by Oda Nobunaga, an influential feudal lord of that time. The Portugese Priest was a man
of wide erudition and was familiar with the Buddhist Sutras. Representatives of various Buddhist schools were all
debated down by his eloquence. Finally Zen Master In of Nanzenji in Kyoto, was selected as the last debater.
The Portugese Priest asked, What is Buddha?
Mind is Buddha answered Master In.
The Portugese Father now unsheathed a dagger, thrust it at Master In's chest, and demanded
What is 'Mind is Buddha'?
Master In, not perturbed in the least, shouted: KWATZ!
The Portugese Priest fell into a swoon in spite of himself and the audience
Zen Comments on the Mumonkan (1974), p. 225
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