Master Dogo and his disciple Zengen once visited a family to offer condolences for a deceased relative. While standing by the coffin, Zengen patted the wood and asked, 'Alive or dead?' Dogo replied calmly, 'I will not say alive, and I will not say dead.' Perplexed and frustrated, Zengen pressed him, 'Why won't you say?' Dogo simply repeated, 'I will not say.' Later, while walking back to the temple, Zengen's frustration boiled over. He threatened to hit his master if he didn't provide an answer. Dogo remained unmoved, stating, 'You may hit me, but I will not say.' After Dogo passed away, Zengen sought out Master Sekisho and asked the same question. When Sekisho gave the exact same reply—'I will not say alive, and I will not say dead'—Zengen suddenly experienced a flash of insight. In that moment of profound silence, he finally understood the truth that lies beyond dualistic labels.
Ultimate truth transcends dualistic categories like life and death; it cannot be captured by intellectual labels or verbal explanations.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of The Dead Man's Answer?
The story teaches that reality exists beyond binary opposites like life and death. By refusing to provide a labels, the master forces the student to seek direct realization rather than intellectual concepts.
Why did Dogo refuse to say if the man was alive or dead?
Dogo knew that any verbal answer would trap Zengen in dualistic thinking. By maintaining silence, he pointed toward the non-dual nature of existence where such distinctions do not apply.
Who are the main characters in The Dead Man's Answer?
The story features Master Dogo, his persistent disciple Zengen, and Master Sekisho, who eventually helps Zengen reach his moment of sudden spiritual awakening.
What does the coffin symbolize in this Zen story?
The coffin represents the ultimate boundary of human understanding and the desire to categorize existence. It serves as the catalyst for Zengen’s spiritual crisis and final breakthrough.
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Good night.
