Open Your Own Treasure House

Daibai asked Baso, " What is the Buddha?" Baso replied, "This very mind is Buddha." Later, Daibai became a teacher. A monk asked him, "What is the Buddha?" Daibai answered, "This very mind is Buddha." Baso heard of this and sent a monk to ask Daibai, "What did you learn from the master to teach in this way?" When Daibai gave the same answer, the monk said, "Baso's teaching has changed. Now he says, 'No mind, no Buddha.'" Upon hearing this, Daibai declared, "That old man confuses people endlessly. You may have 'no mind, no Buddha,' I simply say, 'This very mind is Buddha.'"

Reflection

Daibai's unwavering response to Baso's changing teaching – 'You may have no mind, no Buddha; I simply say, this very mind is Buddha' – affirms one's inherent completeness. The koan warns against chasing new teachings and validates direct realization. Daibai's certainty comes from his own experience, not from loyalty to a teacher's current formulation.