Zen

Unmon said: "I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But, what about fifteen days hence? Come, say a word about this!" Since none of the monks answered, he answered for them:" Every day is a good day."

Comment:

"What a way to give solace to restless heart. Did Unmon know that dissatisfaction and restlessness is a way of life? Wrapping an abominable gift under a shinning cover doesn't make it worthacceptance."

No Cold and Heat

A monk asked Tozan, "How can we escape the cold and heat?" Tozan replied, "Why not go where there is no cold and heat?" "Is there such a place?" the monk asked. Tozan commented," When cold, be thoroughly cold; when hot, be hot through and through.

Comment:

"Quite ridiculous! Zen master answering the question, the very essence of which is escapism. Talking of taking mind away from the basic experiences of life. What a way to amuse the follies of mind".

The Short Staff

Shuzan held out his short staff and said, "If you call this a short staff, you oppose its reality. If you do not call it a short staff, you ignore the fact. Now what do you wish to call this?"

Comment:

:"Shuzan is getting confused between reality and relativity. The real experience of life lies in diversity".

Joshu's Mu

Joshu (A.D. 778-897) was a famous Chinese Zen Master who lived in Joshu, the province from which he took his name. One day a troubled monk approached him, intending to ask he Master for guidance. A dog walked by. The monk asked Joshu, "Has that dog a Buddha-nature or not?" The monk had barely completed his question when Joshu shouted: "MU!"

Comment:

"What a way to hide the doubts and inhibitions of life. Just stop the question in between and declare it null and all encompassing. But what does that all comprise of?"

Seijo's Two Souls

Chokan had a very beautiful daughter named Seijo. He also had a handsome young cousin named Ochu. Joking, he would often comment that they would make a fine married couple. Actually, he planned to give his daughter in marriage to another man. But young Seijo and Ochu took him seriously; they fell in love and thought themselves engaged. One day Chokan announced Seijo's betrothal to the other man. In rage and despair,Ochu left by boat. After several days journey, much to his astonishment and joy he discovered that Seijo was on the boat with him. They went to a nearby city where they lived for several years and had two children. But Seijo could not forget her father; so Ochu decided to go back with her and ask the father's forgiveness and blessing. When they arrived, he left Seijo on the boat and went to the father's house.He humbly apologized\to the father for taking his daughter away and asked forgiveness for them both." What is the meaning of all this madness?" the father exclaimed. Then he related that after Ochu had left, many years ago, his daughter Seijo had fallen ill and had lain comatose in bed since. Ochu assured him that he was mistaken, and, in proof, he brought Seijo from the boat. When sheentered, the Seijo lying ill in bed rose to meet her, and the two became one. Zen Master Goso, referring to the legend, observed, "Seijo had two souls, one always sick at home and the other in the city, a married woman with two children. Which was the true soul?"

Comment:

"Hah! Here is a Zen master talking about two souls. What about the law of universal soul?"

Bells and Robes

Zen Master Unmon said:"The world is vast and wide. Why do you put on your robes at the sound of a bell?"

Comment:

"Ah! Trying to catch the far world and ignoring the world just in front of you."

Ganto's Two Meals

Kisan paid a visit to Ganto, who was living in quiet seclusion, and asked, "Brother, are you getting two meals regularly?" The fourth son of the Cho family supports me, and I am very much obliged to him," said Ganto. "If you do not do your part well, you will be born as an ox in the next life and will have to repay him for what you owed him in this life," Kisan cautioned.Ganto put his fists on his forehead but said nothing. "If you mean horns," Kisan said, "you must stick out your fingers on top of your head." But before he finished speaking Ganto shouted, "Hey!" Kisan did not understand his meaning and said, "If you know something deeper,why don't you explain it to me?" Ganto hissed at him and said, "You have been studying Buddhism for thirty years, as I have, and you are still wandering around. I have nothing to do with you. Just get out." And with these words he shut the door in Kisan's face. The fourth son of the Cho family happened to be passing by and, out of pity, took Kisan to his home "Thirty years ago we were close friends," Kisan said sorrowfully,"but now he has attained something higher than I have and will not impart it to me." That night Kisan could not sleep. He got up and went to Ganto's house "Brother," he implored, "please be kind and preach the Dharma for me." Ganto opened the door and disclosed the teaching. The next morning Kisan returned home, happy with attainment.

Comment:

"Those, keener on teaching others need somebody to shake them up."

Bodhidharma and the Emperor Wu

Emperor Wu of China was a very benevolent Buddhist. He built many temples and monasteries, educated many monks, and performed countless philanthropic deeds in the name of Buddhism. He asked the great teacher Bodhidharma, "What merit is there in my good works?" Bodhidharma replied," None whatsoever." The Emperor then asked, "What is the Primal meaning of Holy Reality?" Bodhidharma answered," Emptiness, not holiness." The Emperor then queried, "Who, then, is this confronting me?" "I do not know," was Bodhidharma's reply. Since the Emperor did not understand, Bodhidharma left his kingdom. Later, the Emperor related this conversation to an adviser, Prince Shiko. Shiko reprimanded him, saying that Bodhidharma was a great teacher possessed of the highest truth. The Emperor, filled with regret, dispatched a messenger to entreat Bodhidharma to return. But Shiko warned, "Even if all the people in the land went, that one will never return."

Comment:

"Ah! Why couldn't d the great teacher appreciate the king for his deeds? Rendering good deeds worthless puts a big question mark on his wisdom."

Returning to the Ordinary World

A monk asked Kegon, "How does an enlightened one return to the ordinary world?" Kegon replied, "A broken mirror never reflects again; fallen flowers never go back to the old branches.

Comment

"Who is enlightened? And what is ordinary. What is this? A Zen master answering a stupid question,And comparing an enlightened man to a broken mirror and fallen flower."

No Beard

Wakuan complained when he saw a picture of bearded Bodhidharma, "Why hasn't that fellow a beard?"

Comment:

"What is a bearded man doing in the picture of Bodhidarma?Ah! What an example of stinking thinking? "

Everything is Best

One day Banzan was walking through a market. He overheard a customer say to the butcher, "Give me the best piece of meat you have." "Everything in my shop is the best," replied the butcher. "You can not find any piece of meat that is not the best." At these words, Banzan was enlightened.

Comment:

"Has enlightenment got to do anything with pieces of meat? Why do we reduce enlightenment into eventualities?"