Yunmen's "Cake"

A monk asked Yunmen, " What is the talk that transcends the buddhas and patriarchs?" Yunmen said, "Cake."

Reflection

Yunmen's 'Cake' is another instance of answering a question about transcendent truth with an ordinary object. Just as with 'sesame bun' and 'dried shit stick,' the response cuts through the seeker's expectation of a lofty, special teaching. The cake is the transcendent truth – no need to look beyond what is already on the table.