Getsuan said to his students: "Keichu, the first…
““Getsuan said to his students: "Keichu, the first wheel-maker of China, made two wheels of fifty spokes each. Now, suppose you removed the nave uniting the spokes. What would become of the wheel? And had Keichu done this, could he be called the master wheel-maker?" Mumon’s comment: If anyone can answer this question instantly, his eyes will be like a comet and his mind like a flash of lightning. When the hubless wheel turns, Master or no master can stop it. It turns above heaven and below earth, South, north, east, and west.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A paradoxical riddle about a hubless wheel illustrates that true mastery transcends form, and the mind’s insight can be sudden and powerful.
In simple terms: Mastery can exist without obvious structure; insight can be instant.
Key Takeaway
Seek understanding beyond conventional forms.
Themes
Mystery
Mastery
Insight
Paradox
Mood
enigmatic
inquisitive
Type
riddle
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Meditation
- Teaching
- Creative problem solving
- Philosophical debate
Key Concepts
Zen
Philosophy
Riddles
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a hubless wheel symbolize?
- How can sudden insight be cultivated?
A Different Perspective
Riddles may be too abstract for practical use.