Zen koan of the day - Knowing How to Beat the Drum

Knowing How to Beat the Drum

Ho Shan imparted some words saying:

Cultivating study is called 'learning.'
Cutting off study is called 'nearness.'
Going beyond these two is to be considered really going beyond."

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A monk came forward and asked, "What is 'really going be­yond'?"

Shan said, "Knowing how to beat the drum."

Again he asked, "What is the real truth?"

Shan said, "Knowing how to beat the drum."

Again he asked, "'Mind is Buddha'-l'm not asking about this. What is not mind and not Buddha?"

Shan said, "Know­ing how to beat the drum."

Again he asked, "When a transcendent man comes, how do you receive him?"

Shan said, "Knowing how to beat the drum."

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dcj commentary: Knowing what a guitar is -- this is not the same as knowing how to play the guitar.