A samurai named Nobushige came to Hakuin and asked: “Is it true that there is heaven and hell?”
"Who are you?" - asked Hakuin.
“I am a samurai,” answered the warrior.
“You are a soldier!” exclaimed Hakuin. “What kind of commander keeps you in his army? You have a face like a beggar.”
Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued:
“You have a sword! But it’s probably too stupid to blow my head off.”
As Nobushige pulled out his sword, Hakuin remarked:
“The doors to hell open here.”
At these words, the samurai understood what the teacher wanted to show him, sheathed his sword and bowed.
“The gates of heaven open here,” said Hakuin.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru