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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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76. The Stone Mind
Hogen, a Chinese Zen teacher, lived alone in a small temple in the
country. One day four traveling monks appeared and asked if they
might make a fire in his yard to warm themselves.
While they were building the fire, Hogen heard them arguing about
subjectivity and objectivity. He joined them and said: There is a
big stone. Do you consider it to be inside or outside your mind?'
One of the monks replied: 'From the Buddhist viewpoint everything is
an objectification of mind, so I would say that the stone is inside
my mind.'
'Your head must feel very heavy’, observed Hogen. 'if you are
carrying around a stone like that in your mind.'
77. NO Attachment to Dust
Zengetsu, a Chinese master of the T’ang dynasty, wrote the following
advice for his pupils: Living in the world yet not forming
attachments to the dust of the world is the way of a true Zen
student. When witnessing the good action of another encourage
yourself to follow his example. Hearing of the mistaken action of
another, advise yourself not to emulate it. Even though alone in a
dark room, be as if you were facing a noble guest. Express your
feelings, but become no more expressive than your true nature.
Poverty is your treasure. Never exchange it for an easy life.
A person may appear a fool and yet not be one. He may only be
guarding his wisdom carefully. Virtues are the fruit of
self-discipline and do not drop from heaven of themselves as does
rain or snow. Modesty is the foundation of all virtues. Let your
neighbors discover you before you make yourself known to them. A
noble heart never forces itself forward. Its words are a rare gems
seldom displayed and of great value.
To a sincere student, every day is a fortunate day. Time passes but
he never lags behind. Neither glory nor shame can move him. Censure
yourself, never another. Do not discuss right and wrong. Some things
though right, were considered wrong for generations. Since the value
of righteousness may be recognized after centuries, there is no need
to crave an immediate appreciation. Live with cause and leave
results to the great law of the universe. Pass each day in peaceful
contemplation.
78. Real Prosperity
A rich man asked Sengai to write something for the continued
prosperity of his family so that it might be treasured from
generation to generation. Sengai obtained a large sheet of paper and
wrote: 'Father dies, son dies, grandson dies.'
The rich man became angry. I asked you to write something for the
happiness of my family! Why do you make such a joke as this?'
‘No joke is intended,' explained Sengai. 'If before you yourself die
your son should die, this would grieve you greatly. If your grandson
should pass away before your son, both of you would be broken
hearted. If your family, generation after generation, passes away in
the order I have named, it will be the natural course of life. I
call this real prosperity.’
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