The Indian government has implemented a new monetary measure called the 'takeout financing scheme' to encourage banks and other commercial lending institutions to advance more loans towards infrastructure projects that have a long gestation period. (see SEAnews 10-07-2009) This scheme seems to be similar to the CDS (Credit default swap), the source of the financial crisis which the entire world is now facing. It is as risky as if one tries to swallow a red-hot iron ball. However if they dare to use this dangerous initiative, after seeing the meltdown of the American economy with their own eyes and with they themselves now facing the world economic crisis, they should prepare themselves for the worst.

Zhaozhou (778-897), one of the great Chan (Zen) masters during the Tang Dynasty in China, was asked by a monk, "Has a dog the Buddha Nature?" Although Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, taught us, "Grass, trees and the domains of all living things, all attain buddhahood." Not to mention a dog, does a human, who sometimes stabs passersby indiscriminately at a pedestrian mall, as happened recently in Tokyo, invades other countries using the power of the state, massacres other races and even makes weapons of mass destruction called nuclear weapons, really have the Buddha Nature? The monk had a great doubt. However Zhaozhou answered simply, "Wu (has not)".

Wumen Huikai(1182-1260), who wrote “Wumenguan”, an analects of Koan (Koans are subjects which Zen masters give their students in the meditation hall) during the Sung Dynasty in China, commented, "It will be just as if you swallow a red-hot iron ball, which you cannot spit out even if you try. However if it successfully goes through your throat, it will be as if you snatch away the great sword of the valiant general Kuanyu and hold it in your hand. Shakyamuni is nothing to be afraid of, Jesus Christ is not scary either. You command perfect freedom. Even though you fall into Hades, you still enjoy a merry and playful samadhi."

Wumen also said in his verse, "the question, 'if the dog has the Buddha Nature', touches directly on the fundamental principles of Buddhism. But if you think it has or has not, you are far away from enlightenment."

Koan can be a wonder drug but may also be a deadly poison. However you cannot know the effect of the drug, if you do not swallow it. In a meditation hall, a Chan master judges the ability and situation of each student and chooses a suitable one of the so called ‘Kosoku-koans (Subjects which Chan masters give their students in the meditation hall are called 'Kosoku-koan' and the current problems faced by the people in the real world are called 'Genjo-koan')’ accordingly. But Genjo-Koans, which we face in daily life, are different. You should wrestle with Genjo-Koan, preparing to stab each other and swallow it without Chan master's prescription..

Today, not only India, but also Japan, America and the entire world are facing a turning point and are being forced to make a difficult decision. It is not only for the leaders in the political and the economic world, but also for common people to prepare to swallow a red-hot iron ball. (Hensho：2009/07/20)

According to the dialectic of the Gospel of John,

【thesis】　"A man can possess eternal life through accepting testimony of the Son of man and being baptized by him." (John 5:24)

【anti-thesis】　But "The one who comes from the earth cannot accept the testimony by one from heaven."(John 3:32)

How then can a man possess eternal life?

【synthesis】　"If you want to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, you can just go back to the word which was with God in the beginning (John 1:1) and certify that God is truthful. (John 3:33)"

When he said, "You are Huichao," Zen Master Fayan thrusted vivid Self in Huichao in front of his eyes. (The Origin of Christianity P.171)

A monk asked Zhaozhou "Has a dog the Buddha Nature?"

Zhaozhou answered, "Wu. (none)"

-(omit)- It will be just as if you swallow a red-hot iron ball, which you cannot spit out even if you try. All the illusory ideas and delusive thoughts accumulated up to the present will be exterminated, and when the time comes, internal and external will be spontaneously united. You will know this, but for yourself only, -(omit)- It will be as if you snatch away the great sword of the valiant general Kuanyu and hold it in your hand. When you meet the Buddha, you kill him; when you meet the patriarchs, you kill them. On the brink of life and death, you command perfect freedom; among the sixfold worlds and four modes of existence, you enjoy a merry and playful samadhi. -(omit)-

The dog, the Buddha Nature, The pronouncement, perfect and final. Before you say it has or has not, You are a dead man on the spot.

[Source] English translation by late Zen master Katsuki Sekida (Two Zen Classics 26-137)/Japanese pronunciations are converted into Hanyu-pingyin by Hensho