Introduction to Zen:

No Faith-based Buddhism or Meditation Allowed

Zen teachings more often than not include discussions between people, or discussions about discussions. One of the most famous discussions, through no fault of its own, is a discussion between Zhaozhou and an unknown monk. It goes like this:

Monk: Does a dog have Transcendent Awareness [aka “Buddha nature”]or not?

Zhaozhou: No [not have].

Monk: We are taught [by doctrines] that all living things have Transcendent Awareness, why doesn’t the dog have it?

Zhaozhou: You are attached to thoughts arising from the false discrimination [between having and not having].

Monk: [Asking again] But does the dog have it or not?

Zhaozhou: Yes [have].

Monk: You say “yes”, but how did it get into this body [of a lower animal].

Zhaozhou: That Transcendent Awareness knowingly transgressed [discriminated].