<p>There's <a href="http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/70themostvaluablethingintheworld.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a story</a> about "the head of a dead cat" being "the most valuable thing in the world".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-16T14:38:39.183Z
2017-08-16T14:38:39.183Z
ChrisW
<p>Though to the extent of my admittedly scarce knowledge, decapitation as a simile for some level of attainment is not to be found in the Pali Canon, but I bet the Zen tradition offers countless koans and stories wherein, figuratively, the incumbent experiencer of realization is beheaded, very much to his surprise I would say.</p>

<p>If you happen to know a few of these stories, your kind attention in helping me digging out these similes is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>My gratitude for having taken the time to read this.</p>

<reference-request><zen><simile>
Similes of Attainment
# Similes of Attainment

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-14)

Though to the extent of my admittedly scarce knowledge, decapitation as a simile for some level of attainment is not to be found in the Pali Canon, but I bet the Zen tradition offers countless koans and stories wherein, figuratively, the incumbent experiencer of realization is beheaded, very much to his surprise I would say.

If you happen to know a few of these stories, your kind attention in helping me digging out these similes is greatly appreciated.

My gratitude for having taken the time to read this.

**Tags:** reference-request, zen, simile


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-16. Score: 1

There's [a story](http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/70themostvaluablethingintheworld.html) about "the head of a dead cat" being "the most valuable thing in the world".


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