Zen Stories

[Gracie]

Love 'em. Got any you want to post?

(Got the idea from another thread to renew my interest in Zen Stories, so thought it might be a nice thing to start here at USMB).

Clarification..I WROTE NONE OF THESE. All found at the link at the bottom of this post. Others that I post are all found on the net. I post the ones that "tickle my ear", so to speak.

http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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 http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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

Worse than a Clown
There was a young monk in China who was a very serious practitioner of the Dharma.
Once, this monk came across something he did not understand, so he went to ask the master. When the master heard the question, he kept laughing. The master then stood up and walked away, still laughing.
The young monk was very disturbed by the master's reaction. For the next 3 days, he could not eat, sleep nor think properly. At the end of 3 days, he went back to the master and told the master how disturbed he had felt.
When the master heard this, he said, "Monk, do u know what your problem is? Your problem is that YOU ARE WORSE THAN A CLOWN!"
The monk was shocked to hear that, "Venerable Sir, how can you say such a thing?! How can I be worse than a clown?"
The master explained, "A clown enjoys seeing people laugh. You? You feel disturbed because another person laughed. Tell me, are u not worse than a clown?"
When the monk heard this, he began to laugh. He was enlightened.

zen

 

[Gracie]

A Wishing Tree
There is a parable about a poor man walking through the woods reflecting upon his many troubles. He stopped to rest against a tree, a magical tree that would instantly grant the wishes of anyone who came in contact with it. He realized he was thirsty and wished for a drink. Instantly a cup of cool water was in his hand. Shocked, he looked at the water, he decided it was safe and drank it. He then realized he was hungry and wished he had something to eat. A meal appeared before him. "My wishes are being granted," he thought in disbelief. "Well, then I wish for a beautiful home of my own," he said out loud. The home appeared in the meadow before him. A huge smile crossed his face as he wished for servants to take care of the house. When they appeared he realized he had somehow been blessed with an incredible power and he wished for a beautiful, loving, intelligent woman to share his good fortune. "Wait a minute, this is ridiculous," said the man to the woman. "I'm not this lucky. This can't happen to me." As he spoke...everything disappeared. He shook his head and said, "I knew it," then walked away thinking about his many troubles.

 

[Gracie]

Gratitude
Fred: "Why must we bow at the end of a meditation period?"
Ho Chi Zen: "To thank God it's over."

 

[Gracie]

Blind man with lantern
An old Zen master always told this fable to unserious students: Late one night a blind man was about to go home after visiting a friend. "Please," he said to his friend, "may I take your lantern with me?" "Why carry a lantern?" asked his friend. "You won't see any better with it." "No," said the blind one, "perhaps not. But others will see me better, and not bump into me." So his friend gave the blind man the lantern, which was made of paper on bamboo strips, with a candle inside. Off went the blind man with the lantern, and before he had gone more than a few yards, "Crack!" -- a traveler walked right into him. The blind man was very angry. "Why don't you look out?" he stormed. "Why don't you see this lantern?"
"Why don't you light the candle?" asked the traveler.

 

[Gracie]

It will pass
A student went to his meditation teacher and said, "My meditation is horrible! I feel so distracted, or my legs ache, or I'm constantly falling asleep. It's just horrible!"
"It will pass," the teacher said matter-of-factly.
A week later, the student came back to his teacher. "My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive! It's just wonderful!'
"It will pass," the teacher replied matter-of-factly.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

"Tie two birds together. Though they have four wings, they cannot fly."

 

[Gracie]

A cup of tea
Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.
The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

 

[Pogo]

Gracie, you're a gem. This thread is a stream of spiritual oasis.

 

[Gracie]

The returned gift
There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him. One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move. Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed. Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him.
"How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"
"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

 

[Gracie]

Gracie, you're a gem. This thread is a stream of spiritual oasis.

I did this same thing somewhere else and got hassled for it.
I am pleased it will be appreciated here and I hope to see others join in.

 

[Gracie]

In Your Hands
A young man caught a small bird, and held it behind his back. He then asked, "Master, is the bird I hold in my hands alive or dead." The boy thought this was a grand opportunity to play a trick on the old man. If the master answered "dead", it would be let loose into the air. If the master answered "alive", he would simply wring its neck. The master spoke, "The answer is in your hands".

 

[Gracie]

Accomodating the water
A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. "I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me. Without thinking, I allowed myself to be shaped by it. Plunging into the swirl, I came out with the swirl. This is how I survived."

 

[Pogo]

Accomodating the water
A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. "I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me. Without thinking, I allowed myself to be shaped by it. Plunging into the swirl, I came out with the swirl. This is how I survived."

Absolutely no pun intended but that's really deep. The whole essence of the Tao right there.

 

[Gracie]

Oh, this one is GOOD.

Holy Man
Word spread across the countryside about the wise Holy Man who lived in a small house atop the mountain. A man from the village decided to make the long and difficult journey to visit him. When he arrived at the house, he saw an old servant inside who greeting him at the door. "I would like to see the wise Holy Man," he said to the servant. The servant smiled and led him inside. As they walked through the house, the man from the village looked eagerly around the house, anticipating his encounter with the Holy Man. Before he knew it, he had been led to the back door and escorted outside. He stopped and turned to the servant,
"But I want to see the Holy Man!"
"You already have," said the old man. "Everyone you may meet in life, even if they appear plain and insignificant... see each of them as a wise Holy Man. If you do this, then whatever problem you brought here today will be solved."

 

[Gracie]

The monastery
There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. "It has been ten years," said the head monk.
"What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Bed... hard..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk's office. "It has been ten more years," said the head monk. "What are the twowords you would like to speak?"
"Food... stinks..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk who asked,
"What are your two words now, after these
ten years?"
"I... quit!" said the monk.
"Well, I can see why," replied the head monk. "All you ever do is complain."

 

[Gracie]

Dreams
Chuang Tzu, ancient Chinese Taoist, once experienced a dream in which he was a butterfly fluttering to & fro. In the dream he had no awareness of his individuality as a person; he was simply a butterfly. Suddenly, he awoke and found that once again he was a human laying in bed. But then he thought to himself, "Was I before a man who dreamt about being a butterfly, or am I now a butterfly who dreams about being a man?"

 

[Pogo]

The monastery
There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. "It has been ten years," said the head monk.
"What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Bed... hard..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk's office. "It has been ten more years," said the head monk. "What are the twowords you would like to speak?"
"Food... stinks..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk who asked,
"What are your two words now, after these
ten years?"
"I... quit!" said the monk.
"Well, I can see why," replied the head monk. "All you ever do is complain."

Heard this before but funneh. Reminds me of the story of Calvin Coolidge ("Silent Cal") at a social event. Some matron walks up and says to the notoriously pithy POTUS, "oh Mister President, my friend made a bet with me -- she said I wouldn't be able to get three words out of you this evening."

Coolidge smiled and said, "You lose".


Cal's a particularly Zenny figure. His wife must have provided a nice Dao-ry ....

 

[Gracie]

I love this one, too.

Nature of things
Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him,
"Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know it's nature is to sting?"
"Because," the monk replied, "to save it is my nature."

 

[Gracie]

Enlightenment after death
The Emperor asked Master Gudo, "What happens to a man of enlightenment after death?"
"How should I know?" replied Gudo.
"Because you are a master," answered the Emperor.
"Yes sir," said Gudo, "but not a dead one."

 

[Gracie]

Carrying in the mind

Two traveling monks reached a river where they met a young woman. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her across. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other bank. She thanked him and departed. As the monks continued on their way, the one was brooding and preoccupied. Unable to hold his silence, he spoke out. "Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked that one up on your shoulders and carried her!"
"Brother," the second monk replied, "I set her down on the other side, while you are still carrying her."