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Teisho December 4 (1991)
by Harada Tangen Roshi, Bukkoku-Ji
Unmon says you have missed it. Koan. A monk once wanted to ask Unmon a question and started to say “The light serenely shines over the whole universe…” Before he had even finished the first line, Unmon suddenly interrupted: “Isn’t that the poem of Chôsetsu Shûsai?” The monk answered, “Yes, it is.” Unmon said: “You have missed it.” Later master Chi-Ch’en took up this koan and said: “Now tell me, now tell me why has this monk missed it?” Mumon’s commentary: If in this koan you can grasp how lofty and unapproachable Unmon Zen working is, and why the monk missed it, then you can be a teacher in heaven and on earth. In case you are not yet clear about it, you will be unable to save yourself. Mumon’s poem:
A line is dropped in a swift stream,
greedy for the bait,
he is caught.
If you open your mouth only a little, your life is lost.
You have this week, carefully and briskly needed your zazen power. Even if I told you to look off it, it would not mean anything to you. Self forgotten, tantei samadhi. Tantei, tantei. This world is yours. From the beginning it’s guaranteed to you. Your tantei now is strong and tall. That’s to die. Nothing… there is nothing. You are not lining up this and that and comparing. Your practice is pure. Pure one, no clutter. Nowhere for discriminating thoughts or lies. JUST THIS MUJI. Just this one count. Shikantaza, just sitting.
Unmon Zenji appears in his koan. When I hear that name, Unmon, Unmon, I immediately hear it’s Bun’en. Unmon Bun’en was his name, and he dropped his heavy baggage under Bokushu. Bokushu asked him when he knocked at the gate for sanzen: “Who is there?” “It’s Bun’en.”
Unmon’s voice was clear and certain. His step was certain. What about yours? Unmon was a practitioner then. He was, this was his time of burning. Coming... When Unmon Bun’en enters, Bokushu kicks him out. This happens three times. You, the practitioner, have to go through something like this. If Unmon had become discouraged and not gone back the second time and third time, if you become discouraged and downcast, whimpy and unclear about this, unclear in your step, then I get weak too. But of course Bun’en keeps at it, he won’t be held back. His time is ripe. He keeps at it. The third time he is kicked out of the room, his foot gets caught in the door and breaks and he shouts in pain. He offered up a foot and what did he receive?
Unmon Bun’en Zenji. The offering of a foot and look at the great treasure which became his. There are some of you here in the zendo who would willingly make the trade. Some ten or so. But when you get down to the nitty-gritty, maybe you back up. What about it? It would be great if it would be the other way around, if you received the treasure and you know yourself, you know that you are everything. Well, then what’s a foot? Somebody comes along and wants something, you give anything… Unmon Bun’en, after his experience, could devote himself to the work for others. 
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