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For example, consider the Zen master Joshu's response “Mu” to the question, “Does a dog have Buddha-nature?” This reply disrupts the quest for a fixed essence behind phenomena, urging practitioners to seek direct experience rather than conceptual truth.

The Essence of Zen: Beyond Words

In exploring Zen, it’s crucial to recognize the limitations of language and thought. Zen cannot simply be reduced to ideas or doctrines; it is ultimately about direct experience—a domain beyond the grasp of the analytical mind. Attempting to describe Zen using words is like trying to wash blood with blood; the very act of seeking to define it can obscure the experience it portrays.