The Seed of Zen Practice One day Zen master Shosan said of a certain individual, "So-and-so is a great practioner, is he not? He says that no matter what kind of plague he may die from, he wants to die as calmly as if he were taking a walk in the neighborhood." One of his students in the group said, "He just thinks that way---he's not the kind of man to do Zen practice." The master said, "Even if that is so, still he is a man with the seed of great Zen practice." Source: Zen Antics
True Friends A long time ago in China there were two friends, one who played the harp skilfully and one who listen skillfully. When the one played or sang about a mountain, the other would say: "I can see the mountain before us." When the one played about water, the listener would exclaim: "Here is the running stream!" But the listener fell sick and died. The first friend cut the strings of his harp and never played again. Since that time the cutting of harp strings has always been a sign of intimate friendship. Source: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
"Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness." - Chuang Tzu There is a story told about a cat who discovered that happiness was in her tail. She kept trying over and over to get it, but all she could do was run around in circles. Exhausted and frustrated with this endless pursuit, she eventually stopped. And then, she discovered that if she'd just go on about her life then it would follow her wherever she went.
The Art of Art Zen master Tetsuo was so famous for his brush painting that many people came to him just to study art. He always used to tell prospective students, "You must remember the saying, 'If you want to avoid depending on society, don't let critism and praise disturb your heart.' When you can cultivate your art without leaving any mundanity at all in your chest, then mind and technique will naturally mature, and you will eventually be able to arrive at the subtleties. This is the way out of darkness into light." Once a distinguished Confucian scholar and statesman came to visit Tetsuo. Observing the Zen master executing a painting, the scholar noted that every move of the master's arm and brush was in conformity with classical principals of calligraphy. When he remarked upon this, the Zen master explained, "In terms of correctness of mind, calligraphy and painting are one. When I make a painting. If so much as one cane of bamboo or one leaf on a tree is even slightly off from the way the stroke should be, I tear the whole thing up and throw it away, then put aside my brush, sit quietly, and clarify mind. Source: Zen Antics
Once there lived a village of creatures along the bottom of a great crystal river. The current of the river swept silently over them all -- young and old, rich and poor, compassionate and cruel -- the current going its own way, knowing only its own crystal self. Each creature in its own manner clung tightly to the twigs and rocks of the river bottom, for clinging was their way of life, and resisting the current what each had learned from birth. But one creature said at last, "I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I shall let go, and let it take me where it will. Clinging, I shall die of boredom." The other creatures laughed and said, "Fool! Let go, and that current will throw you tumbled and smashed across the rocks, and you will die quicker than boredom!" But the one heeded them not, and taking a breath did let go, and at once was tumbled and smashed by the current across the rocks. Yet in time, as the creature refused to cling again, the current lifted him free from the bottom, and he was bruised and hurt no more. And the creatures downstream, to whom he was a stranger, cried, "See a miracle! A creature like ourselves, yet he flies! See the Messiah, come to save us all!" And the one carried in the current said, "I am no more Messiah than you. The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure." But they cried the more, "Savior!" all the while clinging to the rocks, and when they looked again he was gone, and they were left alone, and began making legends of a Savior.
Seung Sahn would say, "When you eat, just eat. When you read the newspaper, just read the newspaper. Don't do anything other than what you are doing." One day a student saw him reading the newspaper while he was eating. The student asked if this did not contradict his teachings. Seung Sahn said, "When you eat and read the newspaper, just eat and read the newspaper." Source: Essential Zen
Teacher/Student Student/Teacher Every-Minute Zen Zen students are with their masters at least ten years before they presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him Nan-in remarked: "I suppose you left your wodden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or left side of the clogs." Tenno, confused, had no instant answer. He realized that he was unable to carry his Zen every minute. He became Nan-in's pupil, and he studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen Dave the Druid Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Re: Teacher/Student Student/Teacher Anyone care to share their interpretation of this? And what does 'carrying ones Zen' mean?
Answer Hi Firefly! To carry one's Zen is to have it at all times. Dave the Druid Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Hot sun. Salty air. Rhythmic waves. A little boy is on the beach. On his knees he scoops and packs the sand with plastic shovels into a bright red bucket. Then he upends the bucket on the surface and lifts it. And, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created. All afternoon he will work. Spooning out the moat. Packing the walls. Bottle tops will be sentries. Popsicle stix will be bridges. A sandcastle will be built. Big city. Busy streets. Rumbling traffic. A man is in his office. At his desk he shuffles papers into stacks and delegates assignments. He cradles the phone on his shoulder and punches the keyboard with his fingers. Numbers are juggled and contracts are signed and much to the delight of the man, a profit is made. All his life he will work. Formulating the plans. Forecasting the future. Annuities will be sentries. Capital gains will be bridges. An empire will be built. Two builders of two castles. They have much in common. They shape granules into grandeurs. They see nothing and make something. They are diligent and determined. And for both the tide will rise and the end will come. Yet that is where the similarities cease. For the boy sees the end while the man ignores it. Watch the boy as the dusk approaches. As the waves near, the wise child jumps to his feet and begins to clap. There is no sorrow. No fear. No regret. He knew this would happen. He is not surprised. And when the great breaker crashes into his castle and his masterpiece is sucked into the sea, he smiles. He smiles, picks up his tools, takes his father's hand, and goes home. The grownup, however, is not so wise. As the wave of years collapses on his castle he is terrified. He hovers over the sandy monument to protect it. He blocks the waves from the walls he has made. Salt-water soaked and shivering he snarls at the incoming tide. "It's my castle," he defies. The ocean need not respond. Both know to whom the sand belongs... I don't know much about sandcastles, but children do. Watch them and learn. Go ahead and build, but build with a child's heart. When the sun sets and the tides take -- applaud. Salute the process of life and go home.
Works for some Heya Firefly, It should be with one all the time but other concerns can creep in. As in the storey the student was preparing to pass a test of sorts and lost his zen when confronted by his teacher. Consider it like test anxiety, you may know the information back to front but under pressure you can forget and not carry it with you. Dave the Druid Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
OK, thanks. But why does the ,master ask abt which side the umbrella is? Knowing that doesn't = Zen, does it?
Being Aware Being Zen is being aware at all times of all things, Not knowing where the umbrella was showed a lack of awareness(Zen) at that moment. Remeber my favorite storey about 'Aware, Aware,Aware'? Same idea just a practical demonstration. Dave the Druid Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Japanese Folk Tale There once lived a samurai who was plagued by a large and clever rat who had the run of the house. This annoyed the samurai to no end so he went to the village to but a cat. A street vender sold him a cat that he said would catch the rat, and indeed the cat looked trim and fit. But the rat was even quicker than the cat and after a week with no success the samurai returned the cat. This time the vender pulled out a large and grizzled cat and guaranteed that no rat could escape this master mouser. The rat knew enough to stay clear of this tough alley cat, but when the cat slept, the rat ran about. Half the day the rat would hide, but the other half he again had run of the place. The samurai brought the cat back to the vender who shook his head in despair saying he had given the samurai his best cat and there was nothing more he could do. Returning home with his money, the samurai happened upon a monk and sought his advise. After hearing the samurai's story the monk offered him the services of the cat that lived in the temple. The cat was old and fat and he scarcely seemed to notice when he was carried away by the doubtful samurai. For two weeks the cat did little more than sleep all day and night. The samurai wanted to give the cat back to the temple but the monk insisted he keep him a while longer assuring him the rat's days were close to an end. The rat became accustomed to the presence of the lazy old cat and was soon up to his old tricks even, on occasion, brazenly dancing around the old cat as he slept. Then one day, as the rat went about his business without any concern, he passed close by the cat who swiftly struck out his paw and pinned the rat to the floor. The rat died instantly. Source: The Thirty-Six Strategies of Ancient China
The Aim of Zen "When enlightened Zen masters set up teachings for a spiritual path, the only concern is to clarify the mind to arrive at its source. It is complete in everyone, yet people turn away from this basic mind because of their illusions." -Zen Master Yuanwu
"Why must I meditate in order to acheive enlightenment?" demanded the prince of his teacher. "I can study. I can pray. I can think on issues clearly. Why this silly emptying of the mind?" "I will show you," said the teacher, taking a bucket of water into the garden under the full moon. "Now I stir the surface and what do you see?" "Ribbons of light," answered the prince. "Now wait," said the teacher setting the bucket down. Both teacher and boy watched the calming surface of the water in the bamboo bucket for many minutes. "Now what do you see?" asked the teacher. "The moon," replied the prince. "So, too, young master, the only way to grasp enlightenment is through a calm and settled mind" Source: Zen Fables for Today
In a Zen hospice in the Castro district of San Francisco on the wall of one of the rooms reside two pieces of graffiti: Life is taxing, death is relaxing. --Zhliangzi Death is not the extinguishing of the light, but merely the turning down of the lamp now that the dawn has come. --Tagore Both quotes remain despite two repaintings, where the workers repainted the whole room but let those two quote stand. Source: Zen Fables for Today
"On a certain night Jim, Mike, Ron and Dave died. Shortly thereafter they all found themselves walking on a beaten path. It seemed right to follow the path. Finally they came to a dividing point. One path veered to the left; the other to the right. They stood a moment pondering what to do when suddenly a man in white appeared and gave them instructions. "Welcome, my friends," he said. "You are approaching your new home and I am here to instruct you as much as is permitted. You notice that there are two paths before you. One of them takes you to Heaven, a place more beautiful than you can imagine. The other takes you to Hell, a land full of darkness, despair and wretched individuals. All I can tell you at this point is that you are to choose a path, but once you reach your destination you cannot turn back. Once you get to Heaven you will stay there or once you get to Hell you will stay there. One more word I can say. Do not be frightened for that reward which you get in the end will be that which you deserve. Go forth confident that if you have led a just life that you will reap as you have sowed. You must proceed one at a time and each walk the path alone." After saying this the man disappeared. The four were astonished at this somewhat random method of reaching heaven or hell. Finally, they decided that they must go forward and drew straws to determine who would go first. Jim got the first opportunity and chose the path on the right. He thought that perhaps this would lead to heaven because the "right" is always associated with "good." But as he proceeded he heard the fierce sound of wild animals, clouds seemed to hide the sun and the earth seemed to shake. He became very frightened and thought, "Maybe I have chosen the wrong path." He turned around and went back to the beginning and told the others of his experience. Then he decided to try the left hand path instead. As he ventured forth on it he saw more ominous signs. He kept wondering how far he could go before he could not turn back and with each step he became more and more frightened until he was forced to retreat back to the beginning. Seeing that Jim could not make a firm decision as to which path to take Ron and Dave suggested to Mike that he now take his turn. Mike, however, was paralyzed with fear for, according to Jim's story, neither path sounded very heavenly. "I'm going to think about it awhile," he said. "Someone else can take a turn." It was now Ron's turn and he said, "I'm picking the right-hand path and not turning back." He followed through with his decision and went past the sound of wild animals and through the darkness and storm clouds until he eventually found himself in a place of unspeakable beauty and peace. He assumed he was in Heaven and rested there. It was now Dave's turn to move onward. Jim said he thought he heard a wild animal eating Ron and a chill of concern spread through them all. Dave was not sure he was making the right decision, for he chose the path to the left. He thought within himself: "No matter what happens I'll go forward on this path and make the best of it." As he proceeded things went from bad to worse. There were horrific shrieks from wild animals and storm clouds with fierce thunderbolts were everywhere. Still he proceeded until he reached a sign that said "Hell." Behind him the path disappeared and there was no retreat. Before him was a depressing place dark and stormy, full of inhabitants living in run down shacks. The people lived in constant fear of attacks from the animals and also roaming gangs that stole whatever they could get their hands on. Everywhere he went he was told that this was a land cursed by the devil and that things are going to get worse for all eternity. Dave thought long and hard within himself. "I promised myself that I would not retreat from this path and would make the best of it. I refuse to listen to these voices of doom. Within myself there is no hell and my conscience is clear. So why should there be Hell on the outside?" From that point on Dave went forth in confidence and taught the people that they did not have to live in the run down shacks and that they could change their circumstances so they would not have to live in fear. He also questioned their belief that the land was cursed by the devil. A handful of people took hope and listened, but the rest were afraid and even looked upon Dave as an enemy fearing he would make things even worse than they were. Dave gathered the people who would listen. They refused to accept the slum they were given as a final resting place and made blueprints of new beautiful homes. The best land they could find was an uninhabited swamp. They drained it and built their homes and a beautiful city with teeming gardens and landscapes. The gangs did not bother them for the inhabitants supported and protected each other. The wild animals became friends for the people nurtured them. Even the dark clouds and storms began to subside and bright sunny days became a common sight. The people who were against Dave saw what had been accomplished and they took courage and one by one other parts of Hell became transformed into beautiful cities and landscapes. After a period of time there was nothing but beauty and peace as far as the eye could see. Dave surveyed the now beautiful land and came to the realization: One more thing needs to be done. He walked over to the original entrance and found that old sign which said "Hell" and tore it down and replaced it with one that said "Heaven." As he did so another path with a fork in it appeared and so did the man in white. His look caught Dave's eye and he said, "I think you know what you must do." Dave looked back and said, "I see I must choose again." "Correct," said the man. "Before I proceed, can you tell me the fate of the other three?" The man answered: "Ron is in the city that resembles the place that you have created. He has one regret and that is he wishes that he had a part in creating it. When the desire becomes strong enough he will be given another path to choose and will wind up in a place called 'Hell' as you did, and be given an opportunity to build Heaven." Jim and Mike are still paralyzed with fear, afraid to make a decision. They are the ones who are truly in Hell, yet sooner or later they must proceed onward. "And what lies ahead for me?" asked Dave. "The unknown," said the man. Dave felt a twinge of fear at the statement, yet was glad at the same time. And with no hesitation, he proceeded down the path leading to the right.
Re: Being Aware That seems to imply that someone with a photographic memory will also have attained Zen?
