Enlight Wooden Buddha Master Tennen Tanka once visited the temple and stayed there overnight. The temple abbot was happy because Tennen Tanka was a very famous teacher, and it was a great blessing for the temple that he ca... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Inner nature Lin-chi spoke to those gathered about the fact that each person must manifest his inner nature. A question was heard from the audience: - But how can I do this if I don’t know who I am? Lin-chi stoppe... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Be alive! One morning Ling-chi was in the temple. Soon a young man came and sat down nearby with his eyes closed in a frozen position. This young man longed to become a disciple and thus thought to impress the ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight In the hands of fate The great Japanese warrior named Nobunaga decided to attack the enemy, although there were ten times more enemies. He knew he would win, but his soldiers doubted. On the way, he stopped at a Shinto sh... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight The right road Just before Ninakawa left for another world, Master Ikkyu visited him. - Shall I escort you? - Ikkyu asked. Ninakawa replied: “I came here alone and I’m walking alone.” How can you help me? Ikkyu repl... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Balance One day, two Zen masters met in a garden and decided to share their wisdom with each other. After they sat down, the first master told the following story: “The day before yesterday I walked past the ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Absolute awareness In Japan, warriors are taught vigilance and awareness. This is the basis of learning, everything else is secondary. The art of fencing, the art of archery are just ways to develop alertness. It is sai... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight The mind moves Two monks were arguing about the flag. One said: — The flag is moving. Other: — The wind is moving. Lin-chi passed by. He stopped and said: - Neither the flag nor the wind - the mind moves! Translated... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Ten followers Zen students made a vow that they wanted to study Zen even if their teacher killed them. Usually they cut their finger and sealed their decision with blood. Over time, the vow became a mere formality,... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight What is the essence of my teaching? Bodhidharma lived in China for fourteen years. Master sent him there to spread the message of meditation. After fourteen years he wanted to go back to the Himalayas; he was old enough and ready to dis... Parables Zen Parables
