The Gateless Gate

The Gateless Barrier (Mandarin: 無門關 Wúménguān; Japanese: 無門関 Mumonkan), sometimes translated as The Gateless Gate, is a collection of 48 Chan (Zen) koans compiled in the early 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Huikai (無門慧開; Japanese: Mumon Ekai; 1183–1260) during the Song dynasty. The title has a double meaning and can also be understood as Wumen's Barrier; the compiler's name, which literally means "No Gate", is the same as the title's first two characters. Wumen's preface indicates that the volume was published in 1228. Each koan is accompanied by a commentary and verse by Wumen. A classic edition includes a 49th case composed by Anwan (pen name for Zheng Qingzhi) in 1246. Wuliang Zongshou also supplemented the volume with a verse of four stanzas composed in 1230 about the three checkpoints of Zen master Huanglong. These three checkpoints of Huanglong should not be confused with Doushuai's Three Checkpoints found in Case 47. Along with the Blue Cliff Record and the oral tradition of Hakuin Ekaku, The Gateless Gate is a central work much used in Rinzai School practice. Five of the koans in the work concern the sayings and doings of Zhaozhou; four concern Ummon. The common theme of the koans of the Wumen Guan and of Wumen's comments is the inquiry and introspection of dualistic conceptualization. Each koan epitomizes one or more of the polarities of consciousness that act like an obstacle or wall to the insight. The student is challenged to transcend the polarity that the koan represents and demonstrate or show that transcendence to the Zen teacher.

drone

Ephemera - 2024-08-01T00:00:00.000000Z

True Winter - 2023-10-05T00:00:00.000000Z

We Need Light - 2023-03-10T00:00:00.000000Z

Primordia - 2022-10-02T00:00:00.000000Z

The Dreaming City III - 2022-09-30T00:00:00.000000Z

Hinterlands - 2022-04-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Earthtron - 2021-08-15T00:00:00.000000Z

Cold Front - 2020-10-08T00:00:00.000000Z

The Voiceless Voice - 2020-07-10T00:00:00.000000Z

Far Shores - 2020-01-15T00:00:00.000000Z

Oceans Are Moving from the Arctic to the South Reflecting the Light - 2019-09-23T00:00:00.000000Z

Heikan No Setsu: Vocal Music - 2019-07-05T00:00:00.000000Z

A Wider View - 2019-05-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Return to Near North - 2018-12-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Germania Plus - 2018-10-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Xinjiang - 2018-08-08T00:00:00.000000Z

Nothing Is Missing - 2018-06-27T00:00:00.000000Z

At Night - 2017-01-31T00:00:00.000000Z

Near North - 2014-04-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Lament for the Aral Sea - 2024-06-28T00:00:00.000000Z

Road to Nowhere - 2024-05-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Inaccessible Island - 2024-04-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Autumnal - 2023-11-15T00:00:00.000000Z

Wrangel Island - EP - 2022-09-01T00:00:00.000000Z

The Landscape of North Iceland - 2019-09-24T00:00:00.000000Z