I shall suggest that in Buddhism number also plays an essential role in shedding light an fundamental Buddhistic insights. Since Suzuki Daisetsu's study of Joshu Zen, he has become a focus of philosophical dispute. Analysis alone is not enough to get where koans intend to lead one. But, a philosophical analysis is sometimes useful as a preparation for going further. I shall try this preparatory consideration.
Every being is said to belong to oneness.
Like other Zen Koans, these words do not make sense unless we are well trained for an immediate response. The immediacy is crucial, but, it is only possible with a solid knowledge of the basics of Buddhism. My reading is only one of them. That is to say, the clothes can be referred to as one as in one suit of clothe or seven as in weighing seven kin. The question shows our inclination toward confusing something universal with a something individual.