The Great Way has no gate

by Wu Men Hui-k'ai

English version by Eiichi Shimomisei
Original Language Chinese

The Great Way has no gate,
A thousand roads enter it.
When one passes through this gateless gate,
He freely walks between heaven and earth.

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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

A koan for us today. A thousand roads enter it, but there is no gate. When we pass through this gateless gate, we are liberated.

We always want to understand, as if we can think our way into heaven. But a confounded head, paired with a striving heart is a powerful combination. From that friction enlightenment can be sparked.

We don't find gateways. We ourselves open.



Recommended Books: Wu Men Hui-k'ai

The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry Haiku Enlightenment: New Expanded Edition The Gateless Gate: The Wu-men Kuan The Gateless Barrier: Zen Comments on the Mumonkan The World: A Gateway: Commentaries on the Mumonkan



The Great Way has