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.