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Drop all 'isms'
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Mind of a Sage
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Judging a saint
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The Fake Monk
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Rinzai's Answer
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Mystic Rengetsu
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Zen
Master Sekito
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Zen Sage & Thief
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Zen Master in Jail
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Buddha’s message
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The Game of Chess
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Innocence is Divine
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Master's Compassion
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Knowledge is Trouble
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Respond with awareness
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Tetsugen
3 set of
sutras
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You are already a Buddha
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Sound of one Hand Clapping
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Master waits 4 right Moment
- Stories 1 - 2
- Stories 3 - 4
- Stories 5 - 7
- Stories 8-9
- Stories 10
- Stories 11
- Stories 12-14
- Stories 15-16
- Stories 17-18
- Stories 19 - 21
- Stories 22 - 24
- Stories 25 - 27
- Stories 28 - 32
- Stories 33 - 36
- Stories 37 - 38
- Stories 39 - 41
- Stories 42 - 44
- Stories 45 - 46
- Stories 47 - 48
- Stories 49 - 50
- Stories 51 - 53
- Stories 54 - 56
- Stories 57 - 59
- Stories 60 - 61
- Stories 62 - 64
- Stories 65 - 66
- Stories 67 - 68
- Stories 69 - 72
- Stories 73 - 75
- Stories 76 - 78
- Stories 79 - 82
- Stories 83 - 86
- Stories 87 - 89
- Stories 90 - 91
- Stories 92 - 94
- Stories 95 - 97
- Stories 98 -101
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57. The Gates of Paradise
A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked: ‘Is there
really a paradise and a hell?'
'Who are you? ' Inquired Hakuin.
‘I am a samurai,' the warrior replied.
‘You, a soldier!’ exclaimed Hakuin. 'What kind of ruler would have
you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar.'
Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but
Hakuin continued: 'So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much
too dull to cut off my head.'
As Nohushige drew his sword Hakuin remarked: ‘Here open the gates of
hell!’
At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's discipline,
sheathed his sword and bowed. 'Here open the gates of paradise,'
said Hakuin
58. Arresting the Stone
Buddha
A merchant bearing fifty rolls of cotton goods on his shoulder
stopped to rest from the heat of the day beneath a shelter when a
large stone Buddha was standing. Then he fell asleep, and when he
awoke his goods had disappeared.
He immediately reported the matter to the police. A judge named O-oka
opened court to investigate. 'That stone Buddha must have stolen the
goods,' concluded the judge.
'He is supposed to care for the welfare of the people but he has
failed to perform his holy duty. Arrest him'
The police arrested the stone Buddha and carried it into the court.
A noisy crowd followed the statue; curious to learn what kind of a
sentence the judge was about to impose.
When O-oka appeared on the bench he rebuked the boisterous audience.
"What right have you people to appear before the court laughing and
joking in this manner? You are in contempt of court and subject to a
fine and imprisonment.'
The people hastened to apologize. “I shall have to impose a fine on
you,' said the judge,’ but I will remit it provided each one of you
brings one roll, of cotton goods to the court within three days.
Anyone failing to do this will be arrested.'
One of the rolls of cloth, which the people brought, was quickly
recognized by the merchant as his own, and thus the thief was easily
discovered. The merchant recovered his goods, and the cotton rolls
were returned to the people.
59. Soldiers of Humanity
Once a division of the Japanese army was engaged in I sham battle,
and some of the officers found it necessary to make their
headquarters in Gasan's temple.
Gasan told his cook: 'Let the officers have only the same simple
fare we eat.’
This made the army men angry, as they were used to very differential
treatment.
One came to Gasan and said: 'Who do you think we are? We are
soldiers, sacrificing our lives for our country. Why don't you treat
us accordingly?'
Gasan answered sternly: 'Who do you think we are? We are soldiers of
humanity aiming to save all sentient beings.'
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