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
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
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 Enlight
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
