The Zen monk was about to die. He was very old, he was ninety years old. Suddenly he opened his eyes and said:
-Where are my shoes?
The student said:
-Where are you going? Are you crazy? You're dying and the doctor said there's no more hope; a few minutes left.
“That’s why I’m asking for shoes: I’d like to go to the cemetery because I don’t want to be dragged.” I will go myself and meet death there. You know me - I've never relied on anyone. It will be very ugly: four people will carry me... No.
He came to the cemetery. Moreover, he dug a grave for himself, lay down in it and died. Such courage to embrace the unknown, such courage to go out on your own and welcome the beyond! Then death is transformed, then death is no longer death. Such a brave man never dies; death has been defeated.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru