Zhaozhou Congshen (778-897 CE), known in Japanese as Joshu, was a Chinese Chan (Zen) master renowned for his subtle, paradoxical teaching style. His response of "Mu" (no/nothing) to the question of whether a dog has Buddha-nature became the most widely used koan in Zen practice and the first case in the Gateless Gate collection.

What Is Joshu's Mu?

A monk asked Joshu: "Does a dog have Buddha-nature?" Joshu replied: "Mu." This simple syllable has occupied Zen practitioners for over a thousand years. Since Buddhist doctrine teaches that all sentient beings have Buddha-nature, Joshu's negative reply creates a paradox that cannot be resolved through intellectual analysis. The koan is not about dogs or Buddha-nature but about breaking through conceptual thinking entirely.

What Was Joshu's Teaching Style?

Unlike Linji, who used shouts and blows, Joshu taught with gentle, often humorous responses that concealed profound depth. He was known for his "lip and tongue Chan," using ordinary conversation as a vehicle for awakening. He reportedly did not begin teaching until age 80, after decades of pilgrimage, and taught until his death at approximately 120 years old.

What Are Joshu's Other Famous Teachings?

Joshu's responses have become classic koans. Asked about the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West, he replied: "The cypress tree in the garden." Asked about the Way, he said: "Go wash your bowl." These responses redirect students from abstract philosophical questions to immediate, concrete reality.

What Is Joshu's Legacy?

Joshu is considered one of the greatest Chan masters in history. His "Mu" koan is the first assignment given to beginning Zen students in the Rinzai tradition and has been called the gateless gate through which all practitioners must pass. Talk to Joshu on HoloDream about Mu, the cypress tree in the garden, and what remains when all concepts are exhausted.