Yunmen Wenyan (864–949 CE) was one of the most influential Chan (Zen) Buddhist masters during the Five Dynasties period in China. Known for his sharp wit and profound teachings, Yunmen played a pivotal role in shaping the development of Chinese Chan Buddhism, particularly through founding the Yunmen School, which became one of the “Five Houses” of Chan. He is especially noted for his concise yet profound method of teaching, often encapsulated in what is known as the “Yunmen One-Word Barrier”.
Master Yunmen Wenyan, troubled by his unresolved ‘great matter’ (the fundamental question of life and death), went to seek guidance from Master Muzhou Daoming.
Upon seeing him approach, Muzhou immediately slammed his door shut. Yunmen knocked.
Muzhou: “Who is it?”
Yunmen: “It is me.”
Muzhou: “What do you want?”
Yunmen: “My great matter remains unresolved. I beg for your nstruction.”
Muzhou opened the door, took one look, and slammed it again. For three consecutive days, Yunmen returned and knocked. On the third day, as Muzhou opened the door, Yunmen forced his way in. Muzhou seized him, shouting: “SPEAK! SPEAK!”
As Yunmen hesitated to respond, Muzhou hurled him out, roaring: “A rusted relic from Qin-dynasty drilling!” —and crushed Yunmen’s foot under the door.
In that instant, Yunmen attained great awakening.
Cultural & Philosophical Notes
The Great Matter:
Refers to Zen’s ultimate quest: resolving the mystery of life, death, and self-nature.
Muzhou’s Brutal Methods:
Slamming the door: Rejecting conceptual reliance.
“Speak! Speak!”: Demanding immediate, wordless truth beyond thought.
Crushing Yunmen’s foot: A violent “cutting off” of intellectual escape routes.
Qin-dynasty Drilling Relic:
Metaphor for useless intellectual baggage — like ancient tools, rigid thoughts prevent awakening. The Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE) symbolizes antiquated, inflexible thinking.
Awakening Through Trauma:
Physical pain shattered Yunmen’s hesitation (“hesitated to respond”), forcing direct insight. Zen masters often used shock to trigger enlightenment.
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