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A Drop Of Water

By jelewis8 ⋅ February 8, 2005 ⋅ 2 comments

A Zen master named Gisan asked a young student to bring him a pail of water to cool his bath. The student brought the water and, after cooling the bath, threw on to the ground the little that was left over. “You dunce!” the master scolded him. “Why didn’t you give the rest of the [...]

Trading Dialogue For Lodging

By jelewis8 ⋅ January 31, 2005 ⋅ One comment

Provided he makes and wins an argument about Buddhism with those who live there, any wondering monk can remain in a Zen temple. If he is defeated, he has to move on. In a temple in the northern part of Japan two brother monks were dwelling together. The elder one was learned, but the younger [...]

Children of His Majesty

By jelewis8 ⋅ January 24, 2005 ⋅ Post a comment

Yamaoka Tesshu was a tutor of the emperor. He was also a master of fencing and a profound student of Zen. His home was the abode of vagabonds. He had but one suit of clothes, for they kept him always poor. The emperor, observing how worn his garments were, gave Yamaoka some money to buy [...]

The Thief Who Became a Disciple

By jelewis8 ⋅ January 7, 2005 ⋅ Post a comment

One evening as Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras a thief with a sharp sword entered, demanding wither his money or his life. Shichiri told him: “Do not disturb me. You can find the money in that drawer.” Then he resumed his recitation. A little while afterwards he stopped and called: “Don’t take it all. I [...]

Moving Mind

By jelewis8 ⋅ December 10, 2004 ⋅ One comment

Two men were arguing about a flag flapping in the wind. “It’s the wind that is really moving,” stated the first one. “No, it is the flag that is moving,” contended the second. A Zen master, who happened to be walking by, overheard the debate and interrupted them. “Neither the flag nor the wind is [...]

Tea or Zen

By jelewis8 ⋅ December 3, 2004 ⋅ 3 comments

The Zen master Hakuin used to tell his students about an old woman who owned a tea shop in the village. She was skilled in the tea ceremony, Hakuin said, and her understanding of Zen was superb. Many students wondered about this and went to the village themselves to check her out. Whenever the old [...]

Nature’s Beauty

By jelewis8 ⋅ November 19, 2004 ⋅ Post a comment

A priest was in charge of the garden within a famous Zen temple. He had been given the job because he loved the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to the temple there was another, smaller temple where there lived a very old Zen master. One day, when the priest was expecting some special guests, he [...]

Meeting a Zen Master

By jelewis8 ⋅ November 12, 2004 ⋅ Post a comment

Meeting a Zen Master on the road, Face him neither with words nor silence. Give him an uppercut And you will be called one who understands Zen.

More Is Not Enough

By jelewis8 ⋅ November 5, 2004 ⋅ One comment

There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life. One day he passed a wealthy merchant’s house. Through the open gateway, he saw many fine possessions and important visitors. “How powerful that merchant must be!” thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and wished that he [...]

Maybe

By jelewis8 ⋅ October 29, 2004 ⋅ One comment

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically. “May be,” the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild [...]

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