Mumonkan - Case 19: Everyday Life is the Path

Joshu asked Nansen:
  "What is the path?"
Nansen said:
  "Everyday life is the path."
Joshu asked:
  "Can it be studied?"
Nansen said:
  "If you try to study, you will be far away from it."
Joshu asked:
  "If I do not study, how can I know it is the path?"
Nansen said:
  "The path does not belong to the perception world [knowledge], neither does
   it belong to the non-perception world. Cognition is a delusion and
   noncognition is senseless. [Knowledge is illusion and non knowledge is
   beyond discrimination.] If you want to reach the true path beyond doubt,
   place yourself in the same freedom as sky. You name it neither good nor
   not-good."
At these words Joshu was enlightened. 


Mumon's Comment:

Nansen could met Joshu's frozen doubts at once when Joshu asked his questions.
I doubt that Joshu reached the point that Nansen did. He needed thirty more
years of study.

   In spring, hundreds of flowers; in autumn, a harvest moon;
   In the summer, a refreshing breeze; in winter snow will accompany your.
   If useless things do not hang in your mind,
   Any season is a good season for you.