The Wu-Men-Kuan, translated as “The Gateless Gate” or “The Gateless Barrier,” is a collection of 48 koans compiled and commented upon by Wu-Men Hui-k’ai. The collection, like other important kanna texts, was first published in China before being brought to Japan. This collection first appeared in 1229 CE before its easterly voyage to Japan in 1254. The text, with Book of Equanimity and the Blue Cliff Record, forms a triumvirate of authoritative koans. Koans of The Gateless Gate:
- Joshu’s Dog
- Hyakujo and the Fox
- Gutei’s One Finger
- The Barbarian Has No Beard
- Kyogen’s Man Up A Tree
- Buddha Holds Up A Flower
- Joshu’s “Wash Your Bowls”
- Keichu Makes Carts
- Daitsu Chisho
- Seizei the Poor
- Joshu Examines The Hermits
- Zuigan Calls Himself “Master”
- Tokusan Carries His Bowls
- Nansen Kills The Cat
- Tozan’s Sixty Blows
- The Sound Of The Bell And The Seven-Panel Robe
- The National Teacher’s Three Calls
- Tozan’s Masagin
- Ordinary Mind Is The Way
- A Man Of Great Strength
- Unmon’s Kanshiketsu
- Kashyapa’s Flagpole
- Think Neither Good Nor Evil
- Leaving Speech And Silence Behind
- The Sermon Of The Third Seat
- Two Monks Roll Up The Blinds
- Not Mind, Not Buddha
- Ryutan’s Name Echoed Long
- Not The Wind, Not The Flag
- Mind Is Buddha
- Joshu Sees Through An Old Woman
- A Non-Buddhist Questions Buddha
- No Mind, No Buddha
- Knowing Is Not The Way
- Seijo’s Soul Is Separated
- Meeting A Man Who Has Accomplished The Way
- The Oak Tree In The Garden
- A Cow Passes Through A Window
- Union And A Mistake In Speech
- Kicking Over The Water Jug
- Bodhidharma Puts The Mind To Rest
- A Woman Comes Out Of Samadhi
- Shuzan’s Shippei
- Basho’s Shujo
- Who Is That One?
- Stepping Forward From The Top Of A Pole
- Tosotsu’s Three Barriers
- Kempo’s One Way
Chinese (Pinyin): Wú Mén Guān