beating a dead cat

Courtesy of this site:

Nansen Kills the Cat
(The Gateless Gate, Case 14; translated by Koun Yamada. Center Publications 1979)

The Case

Once the monks of the eastern and western Zen halls were quarrelling about a cat. Nansen held up the cat and said, "You monks! If one of you can say a word, I will spare the cat. If you can't say anything, I will put it to the sword." No one could answer, so Nansen finally slew it. In the evening, when Joshu returned, Nansen told him what had happened. Joshu, thereupon, took off his sandals, put them on his head and walked off. Nansen said, "If you had been there, I could have spared the cat."

Mumon's Commentary

What is the meaning of Joshu's putting his sandals on his head? If you can give a turning word concerning this matter, you will be able to see that Nansen's command was not meaningless. But if you can't, look out! Danger!

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I think the caption should be changed to read, "Your cat is now enlightened, Ma'am."

"Splitting the cat" is a Zen euphemism for eating pussy. What Joshu was trying to say, when he put the sandals on his head, was that monks don't eat pussy, because pussy-eating is prohibited by the Ten Commandments.

Now go and live out these ideals. I have spoken.


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