A martial arts student approached his teacher with a question: “I’d like to improve my knowledge of the martial arts. In addition to learning from you, I’d like to study with another teacher in order to learn another style. What do you think of this idea?” “The hunter who chases two rabbits,” answered the master, – Read More –
A Japanese warrior was captured by his enemies and thrown into prison. That night he was unable to sleep because he feared that the next day he would be interrogated, tortured, and executed. Then the words of his Zen master came to him, “Tomorrow is not real. It is an illusion. The only reality is – Read More –
One day Chuang Tzu and a friend were walking by a pond. “Look at the fish swimming about,” said Chuang Tzu, “They are really enjoying themselves.” “You are not a fish,” replied the friend, “So you cannot truly know that they are enjoying themselves.” “You are not me,” said Chuang Tzu. “So how do you – Read More –
Junaid was going through the market-place of the town with his disciples. And it was his way to take any situation and use it. A man was dragging his cow by a rope, and Junaid said, “Wait” to the man, and told his disciples “Surround this man and the cow. I am going to teach – Read More –
A young Japanese archer took great pride in the excellence of his marksmanship with a bow and arrow. Having read a lot of Zen stories and receiving some basic training on mindfulness, he soon came to the conclusion that he was a true master of archery. So he decided to travel to a remote mountain – Read More –
A saint who visited the river Ganges to take a bath, came across a group of family members who were shouting at each other in anger. The saint turned to his diciples with a smile, “Why do people who are angry shout at each other?” After a little while one diciple said, “Because we lose – Read More –
There was once a young monk sitting in constant zazen (deep meditation). An elder monk notices this and inquires, “Why are you sitting in continuous zazen?” The younger monk replies, “By sitting in zazen, I hope eventually to become a buddha.” The elder picks up a brick and begins rubbing it on a rock. The – Read More –
A prince goes to a Zen master and tells him that he wants to be enlightened—and now! Instead of sending him away, the master says it could be arranged. After finding out from the prince that he plays chess very well, the master sets up a game between the visitor and one of his monks – Read More –
A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, “I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it.” The teacher’s reply was casual, “Ten years.” Impatiently, the student answered, “But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will – Read More –
When Bankei held his seclusion-weeks of meditation, pupils from many parts of Japan came to attend. During one of these gatherings a pupil was caught stealing. The matter was reported to Bankei with the request that the culprit be expelled. Bankei ignored the case. Later the pupil was caught in a similar act, and again – Read More –