The cypress tree in the courtyard Yinyuan Longqi 隱元隆琦 (Jp. Ingen Ryūki, 1592-1673) Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) Hanging scroll, ink on paper 123 x 36.3 cm; 190.5 x 47.3 cm (mounted) Collection of Harald Conrad 庭前柏樹子 The cypress tree in the courtyard In response to the question by his pupil ‘What is the meaning of the Founder [of Zen, Bodhidharma] coming from the West [India]?’ (如何是祖师西来意), Zhaozhou Congshen 趙州従諗 (Jp. Jōshū Jūshin, 778–897) answered, ‘The cypress tree in the courtyard’ (庭前柏樹子). This celebrated reply is found in a compendium of Zen koans, the classic ‘The Gateless Barrier’ 無門關 (Ch: Wumenguan, Jp: Mumonkan), Case 37.