A Pussy Koan

In honor of the millions of women and men who marched this weekend in support of equality, truth and compassion, I offer a subversive koan. One of our female ancestors addressed issues of gender, the body, taboo, power and patriarchy--issues with which we are grappling today.

Yoshihime was a very strong nun; her nickname was "Demon-girl." She wanted to meet with the teacher at the (all-male) monastary, but the gatekeeper was skeptical of a woman, and challenged her with a question: "What is it, the gate through which all Buddhas enter the world?"

Demon-girl grabbed his head and forced it between her legs, saying "Look! Look!"

The monk said, "In the middle there is a fragrance of wind and dew." (He's stuck in emptiness, he can't handle the Real.)

Demon -girl said, "This monk! He's not fit to keep the gate."

The gatekeeper ran into the temple and reported this to the teacher's attendand (a high position) who said, let me test her.

The attendant went to the gate and again asked her, What is it, the gate through which all Buddhas enter the world?"

Demon-girl grabbed his head and forced it between her legs, saying "Look! Look!"

The attendant said, "The Buddhas of the three worlds come, giving light."

Demon-girl said, "This monk is the one with the eye, he saw the eighty-four thousand gates all thrown open."

What a delightful and powerful koan! We are fortunate to have Demon-girl as an ancestor who can point the way to claim our bodies and our power in the face of attempts by a patriarchal regime to shut us down.

Following the inauguration of the Pussy Grabber-in-Chief, we are coming together in the spirit of Demon-Girl. Our Zen women ancestors fought with fierce wisdom and compassion for our place in Dharma practice. We are fortunate to live in a time and place where there are more and more women's voices heard as teachers of the Way. We can let the ancestors know how grateful we are by continuing the fight to protect safety and equality for the next generation of women, and for those yet to come.

When we march with our pussy hats, we let Trump know that we have not forgotten his violent and demeaning words and actions. When we knit pussy hats with our own hands we remind ourselves that with our own two hands, we can change the world. We contact Demon-girl, and she marches with us, in solidarity.