Enlight I can't say anything One man came to Zen Master Bokuju and said: “I passed by, but I can’t stay with you for long.” And I thought it would be nice to come in and listen to you. I don't need much. Just say one word or one ... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Exam The time has come for the Master to test his students. He called the three, took a white sheet of paper, dropped ink on it and asked: -What do you see? The first one answered: “Black spot.” Second: “B... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight I live an ordinary life Someone asked Bokuju: - What are you doing? What is your religious discipline? He replied: - I live an ordinary life - this is my discipline. When I feel hungry, I eat. When I feel like I want to slee... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight I came home One day, Bankei demonstratively burned Buddhist scripture. The disciples asked him: - Master, what are you doing? You have always taught from these scriptures, commented on them and meditated on them.... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Clarity “Don’t look for God,” said the Master. - Just watch and you will see. - How to watch? - When you look at something, try to see only that and nothing else. The answer puzzled the students, so the Maste... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Sixth sense One day, the great sword master Tajima-No-Kami was walking on a beautiful spring morning in his garden, completely absorbed in the contemplation of the blossoming plum trees. Behind him was a boy squi... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Black Nosed Buddha A nun who was seeking enlightenment made a statue of Buddha and covered it with gold. She carried the golden Buddha with her everywhere. Years passed, and, still carrying the Buddha with her, the nun ... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Man Tao Sosan was the third patriarch of Zen. Little is known about him, but that is as it should be, because history records mainly what concerns external events. History does not record silence. All entries... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Fine silk When someone said that covers made of thin silk are inconvenient because they quickly deteriorate, Tonga remarked in response: — Thin silk becomes especially attractive after its edges fray, and a scr... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Feel it! The student asked: -What is Nirvana? The master replied: — Not entrusting oneself to the vicious circle of birth and death or pleasure and pain is the great Nirvana. —What is the vicious circle of bir... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Good and bad When Bankei spent his weeks in meditation, students gathered from different parts of Japan to study with him. During one of these meetings, a student thief was caught. Bankei was informed about this a... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
Enlight Tosui Vinegar Tosui was a Zen master. He abandoned the formalism of temples and went to live with the beggars under the bridge. When he became an old man, his friend helped him earn a living without begging. He sho... Parables Zen Parables Enlight
