One of the most famous Japanese koans is the question ‘Does a dog have the Buddha-nature?’ For various reasons, ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ are both wrong answers! The most famous answer, given by a monk named Joshu, was the single syllable Mu, which means nothing, no-thing, emptiness.

 

The following is a meditation on Joshu’s Mu, with help from King Lear and The Shorter Catechism. 











 

What is man’s chief end?

          To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

          To get to the other side.

Does a dog have the Buddha-nature?

          Mu. 











 

Why did the chicken cross the road?

         To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

What is man’s chief end?

          To get to the other side.

Does a dog have the Buddha-nature?

          Mu. 











 

What is the square root of minus one?

How many angels on the head of a pin?

Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life

and thou no breath at all?

         Mu.