Zen stories, with their enigmatic and often paradoxical nature, serve as a portal to profound introspection and spiritual awakening. These succinct narratives, deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy, offer a stark contrast to the unending complexities of modern life. Their timeless allure lies in the ability to distill vast wisdom into simple yet impactful teachings. The relevance of Zen stories in contemporary society is a testament to their enduring power to nurture inner peace and clarity.
The benefits of reading Zen stories are manifold. They encourage readers to strip away superfluous layers of thought and to confront the core of existence with a fresh perspective. These tales often conclude with an unexpected twist, challenging the mind to break free from conventional patterns of thinking and to embrace the spontaneity of the present moment. Engaging with Zen stories can lead to a heightened state of mindfulness, a quality much sought after in today’s fast-paced world.
In an age where constant stimulation and digital distractions are the norm, Zen stories offer a respite, inviting individuals to pause and reflect on the essence of being. They are a powerful antidote to the stress and anxiety that plague contemporary society, promoting serenity and a deeper connection with the self and the environment.
Furthermore, Zen stories transcend cultural boundaries, speaking to the universal human condition. They have the unique ability to foster empathy, compassion, and a greater appreciation for the simple joys of life.
In essence, Zen stories are more than just tales; they are catalysts for transformation. As we grapple with the challenges of the 21st century, these stories remain a crucial guide, inspiring us to live with intention, embrace uncertainty, and discover the profound beauty in the art of simplicity.
Zen Story: “A man in a hurry to get results seldom learns quickly”
"Matajuro Yagyu was the son of a famous swordsman. His father, believing that his son's work was too mediocre to anticipate mastership, disowned him. So Matajuro went to Mount Futara and there found the famous swordsman Banzo. But Banzo confirmed the father's judgment. "You wish to learn swordsmanship under my guidance?" asked Banzo. "You cannot fulfill the requirements." "But if ...
Zen Story: “A single puff of wind from the colon”
"Su Dongpo, a celebrated poet and devout Buddhist of the Song Dynasty, was close friends with Fo-ying, a brilliant Chan master. Fo-ying's temple was on the Yangxi River’s west bank, while Su Dongpo's house stood on the east bank. One day Su Dongpo paid a visit to Master Fo-ying and, finding him absent, sat down in his study to wait ...
Zen Story: “A teacher’s discipline”
"A Zen master named Gettan lived in the latter part of the Tokugawa era. He used to say: "There are three kinds of disciples: those who impart Zen to others, those who maintain the temples and shrines, and then there are the rice bags and the clothes-hangers." Gasan expressed the same idea. When he was studying under Tekisui, his teacher ...
Zen Story: “Accommodated myself to the water”
"A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. “I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me ...
Zen Story: “Advice”
"Zengetsu, a Chinese master of the T'ang dynasty, wrote the following advice for his pupils: Living in the world yet not forming attachments to the dust of the world is the way of a true Zen student. When witnessing the good action of another encourage yourself to follow his example. Hearing of the mistaken action of another, advise yourself not ...
Zen Story: “All you ever do is complain”
"There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. “It has ...
Zen Story: “As miserable as ever”
"One day the Master announced that a young monk had reached an advanced state of enlightment. The news caused some stir. Some of the monks went to see the young monk. "We heard you are enlightened. Is that true?" they asked. "It is," he replied."And how do you feel?" "As miserable as ever," said the monk" ...
Zen Story: “Be like the water “
"There is the story of a young martial arts student who was under the tutelage of a famous master. One day, the master was watching a practice session in the courtyard. He realized that the presence of the other students was interfering with the young man’s attempts to perfect his technique. The master could sense the young man’s frustration. He ...
Zen Story: “Because I do not understand Buddhism”
"When Huineng, regarded by Shenhui's "Southern School" of Chan Buddhism as the 6th Patriarch, was allegedly asked on what basis he succeeded the 5th Patriarch in this lineage of Buddhism, Huineng is said to have instantly replied, “Because I do not understand Buddhism.”" ...
Zen Story: “Blind watch a person’s face”
"After Bankei had passed away, a blind man who lived near the master’s temple told a friend: “Since I am blind, I cannot watch a person’s face, so I must judge his character by the sound of his voice. Ordinarily when I hear someone congratulate another upon his happiness or success, I also hear a secret tone of envy. When ...
Zen Story: “Can you make me obey you?”
"The master Bankei’s talks were attended not only by Zen students but by persons of all ranks and sects. He never quoted sutras nor indulged in scholastic dissertations. Instead, his words were spoken directly from his heart to the hearts of his listeners. His large audiences angered a priest of the Nichiren sect because the adherents had left to hear ...
Zen Story: “Desire to win”
"A Zen Master observing students at archery practice notices one of them who is consistently missing the mark, and says: “It is his desire to win that drains him of power.”" ...
Zen Story: “Devote your time to meditation”
"Jiun, a Shingon master, was a well-known Sanskrit scholar of the Tokugawa era. When he was young he used to deliver lectures to his brother students. His mother heard about this and wrote him a letter: “Son, I do not think you became a devotee of the Buddha because you desire to turn into a walking dictionary for others. There ...
Zen Story: “Don’t make inside or outside”
"A student spoke up in the assembly at one of the centers of Korean Son/Zen master Seung Sahn, saying, “It seems that in Christianity God is outside me, whereas in Zen God is inside me, so God and I are one, correct?” Soen-sa said, “Where is inside? Where is outside?” Said the student: “Inside is in here; outside is out ...
Zen Story: “Each of us watch ourselves”
"There was once a pair of acrobats. The teacher was a poor widower and the student was a young girl by the name of Meda. These acrobats performed each day on the streets in order to earn enough to eat. Their act consisted of the teacher balancing a tall bamboo pole on his head while the little girl climbed slowly ...
Zen Story: “Empty your cup “
"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 professor blurted. “You are like ...
Zen Story: “Everything changes”
"Suzuki Roshi, I’ve been listening to your lectures for years,” a student said during the question and answer time following a lecture, “but I just don’t understand. Could you just please put it in a nutshell? Can you reduce Buddhism to one phrase?” Everyone laughed. Suzuki laughed. “Everything changes,” he said. Then he asked for another question." ...
Zen Story: “Exactly how do you help people?”
"Upon meeting a Zen master at a social event, a psychiatrist decided to ask him a question that had been on his mind. “Exactly how do you help people?” he inquired. “I get them where they can’t ask any more questions,” the Master answered." ...
Zen Story: “Handy if you were to be put in jail”
"This famous little Zen temple in northern Kyoto (in 1976 re-located away from the encroaching city to a remote mountain location in northern Hyugo prefecture), was inspired by the very simple, yet deep style of zazen taught by reformer “Homeless Kodo” Sawaki Roshi . Antaiji was very popular with the most serious zazen practitioners from all over Japan and from ...
Zen Story: “How to compose a Chinese poem”
"A well-known Japanese poet was asked how to compose a Chinese poem. “The usual Chinese poem is four lines,” he explains. “The first line contains the initial phase; the second line, the continuation of that phase; the third line turns from this subject and begins a new one; and the fourth line brings the first three lines together. A popular ...
Zen Story: “How were the people in the town where you come from?”
"There was a person coming to a new village, relocating, and he was wondering if he would like it there, so he went to the zen master and asked: do you think I will like it in this village? Are the people nice? The master asked back: How were the people on the town where you come from? “They were ...
Zen Story: “Hunter who chases two rabbits”
"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, “catches neither one.”" ...
Zen Story: “I want to find God”
"A hermit was meditating by a river when a young man interrupted him. “Master, I wish to become your disciple,” said the man. “Why?” replied the hermit. The young man thought for a moment. “Because I want to find God.” The master jumped up, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dragged him into the river, and plunged his ...
Zen Story: “If you call a tail a leg”
"Abraham Lincoln once asked one of his secretaries, "If you call a tail a leg, how many legs does a horse have?". "Five," replied the secretary. "No," said the President, "The answer is four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg." ...
Zen Story: “It is MIND that moves”
Two men were arguing about a flag flapping in the wind. "It is 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 moving,” he said, “It ...
Zen Story: “It must be possible to TELL us what Zen is”
"Roshi Kapleau agreed to educate a group of psychoanalysts about Zen. After being introduced to the group by the director of the analytic institute, then Roshi quietly sat down upon a cushion placed on the floor. A student entered, prostrated before the master, and then seated himself on another cushion a few feet away, facing his teacher. “What is Zen?” ...
Zen Story: “It was a large glass of soy sauce”
"One day there was an earthquake that shook the entire Zen temple. Parts of it even collapsed. Many of the monks were terrified. When the earthquake stopped the teacher said, “Now you have had the opportunity to see how a Zen man behaves in a crisis situation. You may have noticed that I did not panic. I was quite aware ...
Zen Story: “Just exclude him from all those sentient beings”
Zen Story: "A farmer requested a Tendai priest to recite sutras for his wife, who had died. After the recitation was over the farmer asked: “Do you think my wife will gain merit from this?” “Not only your wife, but all sentient beings will benefit from the recitation of sutras,” answered the priest. “If you say all sentient beings will ...
Zen Story: “Leave the raft behind! “
"The Buddha said: "A man beginning a long journey sees ahead a vast body of water. There is neither boat nor bridge. To escape the dangers of his present location, he constructs a raft of grass and branches. When he reaches the other side he realizes how useful the raft was and wonders if he should hoist it on his ...
Zen Story: “Little skill with the mind that lets loose the shot”
"After winning several archery contests, the young and rather boastful champion challenged a Zen master who was renowned for his skill as an archer. The young man demonstrated remarkable technical proficiency when he hit a distant bull’s eye on his first try, and then split that arrow with his second shot. “There,” he said to the old man, “see if ...
