Enlight Happy Chinese Everyone who has been to Chinatowns in America has seen statues of a brave young man with a sack on his back. Chinese traders call him the Happy Chinese or Laughing Buddha. This man named Hotei lived ... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight The most valuable thing in the world One student asked Master Sozan: -What is the most valuable thing in the world? The master replied: - Head of a dead cat. - Why? - the student asked again. - Because no one can appreciate it. Translate... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Mokusen's Hand Mokusen Hiki lived in a temple in Tamba Province. One of his followers complained about his wife's stinginess. Mokusen visited the wife of his follower and showed her his hand clenched into a fist. - ... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Treasure One important gentleman asked Master Takuan to advise him on how best to spend his time. He felt that his days were absorbed in his institution and he was constantly trying to sit still in order to wi... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Reality, not a dream One morning Bokuju woke up and immediately called out to his senior student: - Listen, I had a strange dream. Could you explain its meaning? - Wait! “First, I will bring you some water so you can wash... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight The path of liberation Doshin once asked his teacher, the third Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Sosan: - Please show me the path to liberation. - Who enslaved you and when? - Nobody. “If this is so,” said the teacher, “then why ... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight There is power in words Yoyo came to Joshu to receive instruction in Zen. “I fasted a lot in my youth, my body grew old early, and I no longer have the strength to get up from my chair to greet those who come to me,” said Jo... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Sleeping during the day Teacher Shon Saku left this world when he was 61 years old. Having completed his life's task, he left behind a great teaching, much richer than that of most other Zen teachers. Usually his students sl... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Smart and stupid student Bodhidharma was once asked: “Who can be called a smart student and who can be called a stupid student?” Bodhidharma replied: “The intelligent student is not attached to the words of the teacher, he us... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Sympathy for Bokuju Bokuju was walking with a student to the temple after a morning walk. A man came up from behind, hit him hard on the back with a stick and ran away. Bokuju didn't even turn around; he continued his wa... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Consciousness ahead One young man who studied Zen under Bankei became interested in martial arts. One day, deciding to test the strength of his mentor’s spirit, he attacked Bankei with a spear while he was sitting, suspe... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight San-shen meets a student One day, while talking to his monks, San-shen said: — When a student comes, I go out to meet him without the intention of helping him. His brother, Hsin-hua, heard this remark and said: — When a stude... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
