Origins
In the original text, the question is used as a conventional beginning to a question-and-answer exchange (mondo). The reference is to the Nirvana Sutra, which says for example:
In this light, the undisclosed store of the Tathagata is proclaimed: "All beings have the Buddha-Nature".Koan 363 in the Zhaozhou Zhenji Chanshi Yulu shares the same beginning question.
Read more about this topic: Mu (negative)
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