Enlight Reading the sutras One peasant asked a monk of the Tendai sect to read sutras over his dead wife. After reading he asked: - Do you think this will benefit my wife? “Not only your wife, but also all sentient beings benef... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Perseverance One man studied Zen under Bokuju, to whom he was very devoted. Every time he approached him, Bokuju waved his hand, saying: - Not now, not now! One evening he became desperate: - How can this happen? ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Tea master and kendo champion One Samurai from the province came to Edo (Tokyo) on business and took with him his Servant, the Master of the Tea Ceremony, as an accompanying person. In Edo they stayed at a hotel, and the Samurai, ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Amber Trader The son of a Chinese peasant reached adulthood and his father, wanting him to learn a craft, apprenticed him to a local amber merchant. On the first day, the merchant gave the boy a piece of amber and... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight What are you doing! What are you saying? In modern times, much nonsense is said about masters and disciples, about the inheritance of the master's teachings by beloved disciples, which gave them the right to transmit the truth to followers. ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Character A Zen student came to Bankei and complained: - Teacher, I have an uncontrollable character. How can I fix it? “There’s something strange about you,” Bankei answered. - Let me see what you have. “But I... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Tunnel Zenkai, the son of a samurai, went to Edo and here became close to a high-ranking official. He fell in love with the official's wife and was discovered. In defense, he killed the official and then fle... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight One hand clap The abbot of Kennin Monastery was Mokurai - Silent Thunder. He had a pet named Toe, who was only twelve years old. Toe saw other students coming to the teacher every morning and evening for instructio... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Three blows with a stick Tozan came to teacher Ummon. Ummon asked him where he came from. “From the village,” Tozan answered. — Which monastery were you in in the summer? - asked Ummon. “At Hoji Monastery, on the southern sho... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Taming the Ghost One young woman fell ill and was close to death. “Oh, I love you so much,” she told her husband. “I really don’t want to leave you.” Don't you dare marry another woman after my death. If you do this, ... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Royal gift One day the emperor visited Nan-In. As a sign of his respect, he presented him with a magnificent robe, embroidered with precious stones, made of the most expensive fabric. Presenting it, he said: - D... Parables Zen Parables
Enlight Esyun's departure Nun Esyun was already over sixty when she was about to leave this world. She asked the monks to build a funeral pyre in the courtyard. Seated firmly in the middle of the wooden pyramid, she set its ed... Parables Zen Parables
