Zhaozhou's "Dog Has No Buddha-Nature"
A monk asked Zhaozhou, "
Does a dog have Buddha-nature or not?" Zhaozhou answered, "Wu."
Reflection
Zhaozhou's 'Wu' (no) when asked if a dog has Buddha-nature is another form of the Mu koan. The response is not a philosophical position but a surgical cut through dualistic thinking. By answering in the negative, Zhaozhou creates a paradox that cannot be resolved by logic alone. The koan functions as a meditative device: concentrate on 'Wu' until all concepts dissolve and direct insight arises.