Enlight Mother's advice Zuin, a master of the Shingon sect, was a famous Sanskrit scholar during the Tokugawa era (1603–1867). In his youth he often lectured to his fellow monks. Upon learning of this, his mother wrote him t... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Master Joshu and tea Zen Master Joshu asked a beginner: -Have I seen you before? Newbie replied: - No, Master. -Then have a cup of tea. Then, turning to the other monk, Joshu asked: -Have I seen you before? - Of course we... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Don't get attached to the ashes Zengetsu, a Chinese master during the Tang Dynasty, wrote the following advice to his students. While living in the world, do not become attached to its ashes—this is the way of a true Zen student. Wh... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Really? The Zen Master Hakuin was known among his neighbors as a man who lived an immaculate life. Nearby lived a beautiful girl, whose parents ran a grocery store. One fine day, parents discovered that their... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Prayer One day the emperor asked Master Sosan to come to the palace and pray for him. Sosan came, but refused to pray. He said: - This is impossible. There are several things in life that everyone must do th... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Incense burner A woman from Nagasaki named Keim was one of the few artisans who made incense burners in Japan. Such incense burners were a work of art and were placed only in tea rooms and in front of family shrines... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Carry my fire When Jeno came to the Master, he said: - Why did you come to me? There is no need for you to be here. You're already in It. But Jeno asked: - Let me stay. Then the Master said: - Okay, go to the kitch... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Not love - kindness Once upon a time there lived a woman in China who helped a monk for 20 years. She built him a small hut and fed him while he meditated. And so she wanted to know how much he had progressed during this... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Not far from Buddhahood One day a university student who visited Hasan asked him: —Have you ever read the Christian Bible? “No, read to me from it,” Hasan answered. The student opened the Bible and began to read from Matthew... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Not the mind Lin-chi was sitting on the bank of the river when a philosopher approached him, bowed and asked the question: “What is the essence of your teaching?” Lin-chi looked at him and did not say a single wor... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Silence Four Zen students, and close friends, promised each other to remain silent in order to deepen their meditation. The first day they were silent. Their meditation began auspiciously, but when night came... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Monks and a girl. One day in the summer, on a hot day, two monks approached the river. One was respectable and old with gray hair, The young one was strong and bald. A beautiful young maiden stood by the river, not kno... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
