Blind Deaf & Dumb

A Zen Koan.

A Zen teacher was giving a talk to his students when one of them spoke up:

"You say that Buddhism helps us in every possible way, but think about it, how can it help the blind, the deaf, or the dumb?”

“The blind cannot see the teacher's staff as he raises it in front of them.”

“The deaf cannot hear the teacher's words, no matter how wise.”

“The dumb cannot understand the lessons or ask their questions.”

“So since we cannot help these people, how can we say Buddhism helps in every possible way? What good is it?"

The teacher walked over to the student and poked at him with his stick. The student jumped back.

— "Ah-ha!" said the teacher, "I see you are not blind!"

He told the student to step forward, which he did.

— "Ah-ha!" he said, "I see you are not deaf!"

Then he asked the student if he understood what all this to-do was about. He said he did not.

— "Ah-ha!" said the teacher, "I see you are not dumb!"