<< back to All Teachings  A Few Koans About Women  By Florence
Caplow, Sue Moon | Oct 31, 2010 In topics: Koan Studies, Women
in Buddhism Koans from the upcoming collection, compiled and
edited by Sue Moon and Florence Caplow, of Zen Koans about
women.      The Old Woman's Rice Cakes   Te-shan was traveling
to the south in search of the Dharma when he came across a woman
on the roadside selling refreshments. He asked her, "Who are
you?"              She responded, "I am an old woman selling
rice cakes."              He said, "I'll take some rice cakes."
            She said, "Venerable priest, why do you want them?"
            He said, "I'm hungry and need some refreshments
 She said, "Venerable priest, what are you carrying in your
bag?"              He said, "Haven't you heard that I am ‘King
of the Diamond Sutra?' I have thoroughly penetrated all of its
levels of meaning. Here I have my notes and commentaries on the
scripture."              Hearing this, the old woman said, "I
have one quest