Posted inDharma, Koans, Videos

Carolyn Seburn: The Barbarian Has No Beard

February 22, 2024

In this teisho, Carolyn takes us through case 4 of the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate. The case is simply stated: Wakuan said, “Why has the western barbarian no beard?” The western barbarian is believed to be Bodhidharma who famously had a wild and generous beard. The pattern of this koan is referred to as “calling black white” as Yamada Koun said. Listen to this beautiful teisho and explore with Carolyn how to feed the spark of aliveness and consider what a real experience of enlightenment is. This is about the abundance of nothing – no lack, no worry, freely shared.

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