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The Liars

By jelewis8 ⋅ August 24, 2005 ⋅ One comment

One day, a law was passed which required that anyone who was a liar must be arrested. When she heard about this, a student of Zen said to the local constable, “I am a liar. You will arrest me now.” He said to her in reply, “I do not believe you.” “If you do not [...]

Obedience

By jelewis8 ⋅ July 26, 2005 ⋅ 2 comments

The master Bankei’s talks were attended not only by Zen students but by persons of all ranks and sects. He never quoted sutras nor indulged in scholastic dissertations. Instead, his words were spoken directly from his heart to the hearts of his listeners. His large audiences angered a priest of the Nichiren sect because the [...]

When Tired

By jelewis8 ⋅ May 23, 2005 ⋅ 3 comments

A student once asked his teacher, “Master, what is enlightenment?” The master replied, “When hungry, eat. When tired, sleep.”

True Friends

By jelewis8 ⋅ May 9, 2005 ⋅ Post a comment

A long time ago in China there were two friends, one who played the harp skillfully and one who listened skillfully. When the one played or sang about a mountain, the other would say: “I can see the mountain before us.” When the other played about water, the listener would exclaim: “Here is the running [...]

Ritual Cat

By jelewis8 ⋅ April 11, 2005 ⋅ Post a comment

When the spiritual teacher and his disciples began their evening meditation, the cat who lived in the monastery made such noise that it distracted them. So the teacher ordered that the cat be tied up during the evening practice. Years later, when the teacher died, the cat continued to be tied up during the meditation [...]

Sounds of Silence

By jelewis8 ⋅ April 4, 2005 ⋅ One comment

Four monks decided to meditate silently without speaking for two weeks. By nightfall on the first day, the candle began to flicker and then went out. The first monk said, “Oh, no! The candle is out.” The second monk said, “Aren’t we not suppose to talk?” The third monk said, “Why must you two break [...]

Spider

By jelewis8 ⋅ March 22, 2005 ⋅ Post a comment

A Tibetan story tells of a meditation student who, while meditating in his room, believed he saw a spider descending in front of him. Each day the menacing creature returned, growing larger and larger each time. So frightened was the student, that he went to his teacher to report his dilemma. He said he planned [...]

Calling Card

By jelewis8 ⋅ March 2, 2005 ⋅ Post a comment

Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral in Kyoto. One day the governor of Kyoto called upon him for the first time. His attendant presented the card of the governor, which read: Kitagaki, Governor of Kyoto. “I have no business with such a fellow,” said Keichu [...]

Wanting God

By jelewis8 ⋅ February 21, 2005 ⋅ Post a comment

A hermit was meditating by a river when a young man interrupted him. “Master, I wish to become your disciple,” said the man. “Why?” replied the hermit. The young man thought for a moment. “Because I want to find God.” The master jumped up, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dragged him into [...]

Transient

By jelewis8 ⋅ February 15, 2005 ⋅ One comment

A famous spiritual teacher came to the front door of the King’s palace. None of the guards tried to stop him as he entered and made his way to where the King himself was sitting on his throne. “What do you want?” asked the King, immediately recognizing the visitor. “I would like a place to [...]

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