A Zen Master lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening, while he was away, a thief sneaked into the hut only to find there was nothing in it to steal. The Zen Master returned and found him. “You have come a long way to – Read More –
A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the – Read More –
An amazing description of an enlightenment experience from the Master Sokei-an Sasaki: “One day I wiped out all notions from my mind. I gave up all desire. I discarded all the words which I thought and stayed in quietude. I felt a little queer — as if I were being carried into something, or as – Read More –
A man walking across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger chasing after him. Coming to a cliff, he caught hold of a wild vine and swung himself over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Terrified, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger had come, waiting to – Read More –
Two monks were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling. Coming around the bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection. “Come on, girl,” said the first monk. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud. The second – Read More –
I like this comic…it reminds of the puzzle I faced when I first began studying Eastern wisdom traditions. When one is studying Zen or the Tao, it can be confusing to constantly be reminded to “do nothing” or “go with the flow.” Does that mean you’re actually supposed to do nothing?? My short answer to that – Read More –
A happy young couple married and chose an exotic island for their honeymoon. On the last night of their stay, they took a walk on the beach and the young woman encountered a large rock in her path. She paused. Her husband quickly picked her up and happily carried her over the rock. They decided – Read More –