Bankei Yōtaku
Rinzai Zen · 1622–1693
“Everything is perfectly resolved in the Unborn.”
Bankei Yōtaku was a Japanese Rinzai Zen master who taught in the simplest possible language, refusing the scholarly jargon that had come to dominate Zen in his era.
His central teaching was the Unborn — the original mind that exists before all thought. He insisted you already have it, and need only stop replacing it with thoughts.
In an age of rigid Zen institutions, Bankei was a breath of fresh air. His talks drew thousands.
Key teachings
The Unborn
Your original mind, before all thought and conditioning. You already have it. You have never not had it.
Don’t Replace the Unborn
Suffering arises when you replace the Unborn with thoughts about it. Just stop, and it is right here.
Notable works
The Unborn
Collected talks and dialogues. Remarkably direct and free of jargon.
One teaching like this each morning — and Mu, a companion who remembers your path.
Get Mushin · free