Keep a mind that is open to everything, and attached to nothing.
ZEN TALES
THE THIEF WHO BECAME A DISCIPLE
One evening, as Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras, a thief with a sharp sword entered his little house through a window and demanding his money or his life.
Shichiri told him : "Just do not disturb me. I am very busy. You can find the money in the drawer bottom left." Then he resumed his recitation.
A while afterwards he paused and said: "And please don't take it all. I need some to pay my taxes with tomorrow."
The intruder gathered up most of the money and started to leave.
"Thank a person when you receive a gift." Shichiri called out and the man mumbled some thanks and made off.
A few days went by and the fellow was caught and confessed, among other crimes, the theft from Shichiri.
When the old sage was called as a witness he said : " This man is no thief, at least as far as I am concerned.
I gave him the money and he thanked me for it."
When he had completed his prison term, the man went to Shichiri and became his disciple.
What does this story speak to for you? How does it touch you? Why?
Teacher lived quietly in his house on the mountain, reading his books and meditating, eating simple food.
One day, there was a loud knock on his door.
On opening it, he saw a large, bedraggled man with a wild look in his eyes, his clothes all ragged and torn and an ancient sword hanging on his belt. He stank of cheap beer.
Teacher smiled, "And what can I do for you?"
"They say you are a wise man. Well, I am a Samurai and have travelled far and wide looking for an answer to my question. No one has been able to answer it and I have killed many on this quest. If YOU cannot answer it , maybe I will kill you too!"
Teacher bowed. "So, ask me your question."
The Samurai looked into his eyes with great intensity. " I want to know this one thing before I die. Is there a Heaven and is there a Hell. And I want proof!"
Teacher smiled. "You want proof? Ha! Look at you. Dirty clothing, a rusted sword, smelling of drink. And you call yourself a Samurai? You are a pathetic excuse for a human being. Get out of my doorway."
The man became enraged and drew his sword. He advanced towards the Teacher. "Why you..I will KILL you now!"
Teacher called out " And here opens the gateway to Hell!"
On hearing this, the Samurai stood still, his eyes were wide. He replaced his sword and knelt on the ground, his face to the floor.
"And now we open the gateway to Heaven" said Teacher.
And from that day on, the old warrior became a devoted servant and lived with his Teacher for many years.
What does this story touch within you? What does it teach?
John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, had a famous quote:
"The mind is it`s own place, and it can make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven''
One day, there was a loud knock on his door.
On opening it, he saw a large, bedraggled man with a wild look in his eyes, his clothes all ragged and torn and an ancient sword hanging on his belt. He stank of cheap beer.
Teacher smiled, "And what can I do for you?"
"They say you are a wise man. Well, I am a Samurai and have travelled far and wide looking for an answer to my question. No one has been able to answer it and I have killed many on this quest. If YOU cannot answer it , maybe I will kill you too!"
Teacher bowed. "So, ask me your question."
The Samurai looked into his eyes with great intensity. " I want to know this one thing before I die. Is there a Heaven and is there a Hell. And I want proof!"
Teacher smiled. "You want proof? Ha! Look at you. Dirty clothing, a rusted sword, smelling of drink. And you call yourself a Samurai? You are a pathetic excuse for a human being. Get out of my doorway."
The man became enraged and drew his sword. He advanced towards the Teacher. "Why you..I will KILL you now!"
Teacher called out " And here opens the gateway to Hell!"
On hearing this, the Samurai stood still, his eyes were wide. He replaced his sword and knelt on the ground, his face to the floor.
"And now we open the gateway to Heaven" said Teacher.
And from that day on, the old warrior became a devoted servant and lived with his Teacher for many years.
What does this story touch within you? What does it teach?
John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, had a famous quote:
"The mind is it`s own place, and it can make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven''
THE THREE HUNGRY BROTHERS
Once there were three brothers who were so poor they had eaten very little for a week. News came that there was a chance for some free food.
All they had to do was report to the local monastery and sit in silence while facing a wall for three hours.
When the dinner gong sounded, then they would be fed!
This will be easy work for us" said the eldest. And off they went to the monastery smiling and brimming with gentle confidence.
On arrival, they were welcomed, "Zazen" sitting meditation was explained to them and they made themselves as comfortable as they could, sat upright and facing a wall.
There were spasms and aches and pains that came and went but...they were managing. That is all they could concentrate on.
They were very determined to get that food. Sit still! Stay silent! How difficult could it be?
But after an hour or so the aroma of cooking began to waft through the monastery hallways. And it was delicious! Their grimacing faces reflected the agonies they were passing through.
They could hear the kitchen staff arranging the benches and tables. They heard the pots and pans being stirred. It was all too much to endure. Loud gurgling sounds came from their stomachs,
"Oh my goodness" said the youngest, opening his eyes and looking to his left, "this is absolutely unbearable. How long is left I wonder? "
" The middle brother shot him a dark look. "You idiot!" he hissed, "we are meant to be sitting in silence!"
And with that the eldest brother opened his eyes, " Ha!....I win!" he shouted. "I am the only one who hasn't spoken!"
Oh dear.
What might you take from a tale like this?
All they had to do was report to the local monastery and sit in silence while facing a wall for three hours.
When the dinner gong sounded, then they would be fed!
This will be easy work for us" said the eldest. And off they went to the monastery smiling and brimming with gentle confidence.
On arrival, they were welcomed, "Zazen" sitting meditation was explained to them and they made themselves as comfortable as they could, sat upright and facing a wall.
There were spasms and aches and pains that came and went but...they were managing. That is all they could concentrate on.
They were very determined to get that food. Sit still! Stay silent! How difficult could it be?
But after an hour or so the aroma of cooking began to waft through the monastery hallways. And it was delicious! Their grimacing faces reflected the agonies they were passing through.
They could hear the kitchen staff arranging the benches and tables. They heard the pots and pans being stirred. It was all too much to endure. Loud gurgling sounds came from their stomachs,
"Oh my goodness" said the youngest, opening his eyes and looking to his left, "this is absolutely unbearable. How long is left I wonder? "
" The middle brother shot him a dark look. "You idiot!" he hissed, "we are meant to be sitting in silence!"
And with that the eldest brother opened his eyes, " Ha!....I win!" he shouted. "I am the only one who hasn't spoken!"
Oh dear.
What might you take from a tale like this?