Enlight Arrest of the Stone Buddha A merchant, carrying 50 bundles of cotton on his shoulders, stopped to take a break from the heat in a shelter where a stone Buddha stood. Here he fell asleep, and when he woke up, his cotton had disa... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Hoping for a fix The young samurai stood with a bow and several arrows in his hands, measuring the distance to the target with his eyes. A monk passing by said to him: “You won’t learn to shoot accurately if you rely ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Two swords Master Muramasa made samurai swords as striking weapons. Master Masamune is like a weapon with which to protect your life. To compare, their blades were driven into the bottom of a stream. Fallen leav... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight What's the difference? Bodhidharma was once asked: “What is the difference between the life of a great sage and the everyday life of an ordinary person?” Bodhidharma replied: “It is like an autumn web. Some people mistake i... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Meeting with Bodhisattva Manjushri After many years of peaceful meditation, one Zen monk realized that he was not really enlightened yet. Coming to the master, he said: - Please, allow me to leave: I will find a hut on the top of the m... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight The gates are tired One dignitary was supposed to come to Bokuju at the appointed time, but was late. Bokuju asked him: — Why were you delayed? He replied that he played polo. The master asked: — Who hits the ball, the r... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Gudu and the Emperor Emperor Guzai studied Zen under Gudu. He asked: — The true mind in Zen is the Buddha. Is this true? Gudu replied: “If I say yes, you will think that you understand without understanding.” If I say no,... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight High-born fool Two Zen teachers, Daigu and Gudu, were invited to the master. When they arrived, Gudu said to the master: —You are wise by nature and have an innate ability for Zen. “Nonsense,” said Daigu. - Why are ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Everything is the best As Banzen walked through the market, he heard a conversation between a buyer and a butcher. “Give me the best piece of meat,” said the buyer. “Everything I have in my shop is the best!” - answered the... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight His Majesty's Children Yamaoka Choshu was the emperor's mentor. In addition, he was a fencing teacher and a deep student of Zen. His house was a haven for tramps. He had only one suit, as he was kept in poverty. The Emperor... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Great art The emperor asked one artist to paint the Himalayas on the walls of his palace. The artist was a Zen Master; he said that he needed to live in the Himalayas for three years to do this. The Emperor ask... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Without attachment Kitano Geleko, abbot of Eihei Temple, was 92 years old when he died in 1933. All his life he tried to live without attachments. As a wandering beggar, when he was 20 years old, he met a traveler smoki... Parables Zen Parables
