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Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral in Kyoto. One day the governor of Kyoto called upon him for the first time. His attendant presented the card of the governor, which read: Kitagaki, Governor of Kyoto. “I have no business with such a fellow,” said Keichu to his attendant. . . . → Read More: Koan: A Calling Card Daiju visited the master Baso in China. Baso asked: “What do you seek?” “Enlightenment,” replied Daiju. “You have your own treasure house. Why do you search outside?” Baso asked. Daiju inquired: “Where is my treasure house?” Baso answered: “What you are asking is your treasure house.” Daiju was enlightened! Ever after he urged his friends: “Open your own tresure house and . . . → Read More: Koan: Open Your Own Treasure House After Bankei had passed away, a blind man who lived near the master’s temple told a friend: “Since I am blind, I cannot watch a person’s face, so I must judge his character by the sound of his voice. Ordinarily when I hear someone congratulate another upon his happiness or success, I also hear a secret tone . . . → Read More: Koan: The Voice of Happiness Provided he makes and wins an argument about Buddhism with those who live there, any wondering monk can remain in a Zen temple. If he is defeated, he has to move on. In a temple in the northern part of Japan two brother monks were dwelling together. The elder one was learned, but the younger one was . . . → Read More: Koan: Trading Dialogue for Lodging Reciting Sutras A farmer requested a Tendai priest to recite sutras for his wife, who had died. After the recitation was over the farmer asked: “Do you think my wife will gain merit from this?” “Not only your wife, but all sentient beings will benefit from the recitation of sutras,” answered the priest. “If you say all sentient beings . . . → Read More: Koan: Reciting Sutras A Mother’s Advice Jiun, a Shingon master, was a well-known Sanskrit scholar of the Tokugawa era. When he was young he used to deliver lectures to his brother students. His mother heard about this and wrote him a letter: “Son, I do not think you became a devotee of the Buddha because you desired to turn into a walking . . . → Read More: Koan: A Mother’s Advice My Heart Burns Like Fire Soyen Shaku, the first Zen teacher to come to America, said: “My heart burns like fire but my eyes are as cold as dead ashes.” He made the following rules which he practiced every day of his life. In the morning before dressing, light incense and meditate. Retire at a . . . → Read More: My Heart Burns Like Fire "Buddha" by Kosen When one goes to Obaku temple in Kyoto he sees carved over the gate the words “The First Principle”. The letters are unusually large, and those who appreciate calligraphy always admire them as being a mastepiece. They were drawn by Kosen two hundred years ago. When the master drew them he did so . . . → Read More: Koan: The First Principle Here it is: the one koan that everyone has before. There’s actually quite a bit more to it than the “punchline” that we all know. Here goes: The master of Kennin temple was Mokurai, Silent Thunder. He had a little protege named Toyo who was only twelve years old. Toyo saw the older disciples visit . . . → Read More: Koan: The Sound of One Hand Koan: Stingy in Teaching A young physician in Tokyo named Kusuda met a college friend who had been studying Zen. The young doctor asked him what Zen was. “I cannot tell you what it is,” the friend replied, “but one thing is certain. If you understand Zen, you will not be afraid to die.” “That’s fine,” said Kusuda. “I . . . → Read More: Koan: Stingy in Teaching / Joshu’s Mu |
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