Some enlightening Zen Stories

One interrpretation of this story is that we need learn to confront our doubts and fears for that is what they are; fleeting thoughts left to their own devices gather momentum, fleeting thoughts passively observed magically vanish. Remembering that our purpose is to be happy and bring joy to others, it is the good memories that we should encourage.

"We must be the change we want to see in this world."

Please light a Candle in the "zendo"

A Japanese warrior was captured by his enemies and thrown into prison. That night he was unable to sleep because he feared that the next day he would be interrogated, tortured, and executed. Then the words of his Zen master came to him, "Tomorrow is not real. It is an illusion. The only reality is now." Heeding these words, the warrior became peaceful and fell asleep.
 
I lit a candle in the zendo.

Thankful one

Gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in one's life. In gratitude we say yes to life... from Thanks - How the new science of gratitude can make you happier by Robert Emmons, Ph.D.

Thankful one,

I wish you many happy lightings in the zendo

"We must be the change we want to see in this world."

Please light a Candle in the "zendo"

Thank you, Richard, for the Zen stories, particularly for the last one about the warrior. It seems to have been written for me, as I am a typical "worrier" (though not a warrior).
When there is nothing to worry about around, I sleep like a ... (what do you in English say? German speaks of sleeping like a stone). But let the slightest worry appear on the horizon, and I will think I have to stay awake to take care of it... Next time I will try to put the words of the Zen master into practice as it is true: TOMORROW IS NOT REAL. IT IS AN ILLUSION. THE ONLY REALITY IS NOW.

Juliana
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Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Juliana, one way to say it in English would be "sleeping like a baby". Babies haven't learned yet to worry. I wish I had never learned it since it is such an unproductive exercise, but this has never stopped me! I am trying to just live in the NOW.
 
Edda

Peace and joy!

I guess that's why we all year for childhood to return
when we're adults. I mean if you had a happy childhood
you wish you could return to school,youth and all your
happy times.The times you wished away too soon;Being
in a hurry to grow up. I had less worries when I was
younger and I would give anything to go back to
those days!!!!,Better than today.....

''Before You Judge Someone By Their Manners,
Behavior ,Disabilities, Way Of Life,Or Appearence.
Imagine Yourself In Their Position First...

Isn't it the worry that allows you to grow up and shed the delusion of childhood??

                       
 
A new student approached the Zen master and asked how he should prepare himself for his training. "Think of me a bell," the master explained. "Give me a soft tap, and you will get a tiny ping. Strike hard, and you'll receive a loud, resounding peal."
 
              Read other People's reactions to this story:

"We must be the change we want to see in this world."

Please light a Candle in the "zendo"

Leanda and Richard,  Going back to your posts as well as to mine: it depends on what we mean by "worries". I still agree with the Zen story: worries are delusions and are, therefore, useless. So I try to do away with them as best I can. Let me look at it from a language point of view which has helped me. In German, we have only one word, namely "Sorge", whereas in English there are two: "worry/-ies", and "care". Growing up means learning to get away from worrying  about the "false self", which is an illusion, and "caring" for, i.e. loving people and goals outside of our ego. I have always liked the possibility of asking, "Do you care for me?" in English, which is another way of saying, "Do you love me?", isn´t it? It points to what love is all about. (In German we lack the equivalent).

Juliana
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Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

I'm kinda' stuck on the meaning of this last story, except that he will get out of the relationship what he puts into it.  I keep looking for more, but maybe there isn't more?
 
Lori

To truly listen is to perfect one's own virtue.

Lori;  Did you look at (click on) "Read other people's reactions to this story"? Is it Dr.Phil that says, "We teach others how to treat us."

Juliana; Not necessarily but, I do love you.  The greatest gift we receive in this life is to love ourselves and share that compassion with others.  Love can be defined as 'sharing and caring'; ergo, I also care for you.  So, maybe you only need one word !!

Leanda;  The Dali Llama says Our purpose in life is to is to be Happy.  In order to attain this we need live in the present (NOW).  So, when asked where you'd rather be; I certainly hope the answer is, "HERE"

Remember, We are what we think and you can always change your mind !!

"We must be the change we want to see in this world."

Please light a Candle in the "zendo"

Richard, It seems to me that we have a typical misunderstanding here. Sorry if I have not made clear enough what I mean. I was trying to point out the difference between "worry" and "care". (In German we only have one word for both, namely "Sorge"). The two words are related, aren´t they? Whereas "worry" is a delusion - as the Zen story shows - "care" is what is demanded by love, and therefore cannot nor should not be done away with. If I love someone, I will care for them - without worrying, if possible. I was trying to show that the question "Do you care for me?" is (almost) equivalent to "Do you love me?", and that this shows that caring is at the heart of love. Can anyone of my "Gratitude" friends come to my aid?

Leanda, While it is understandable that young people should regret leaving the comfort of a happy childhood, it is still necessary to "climb out of the cradle, where everything is ´getting`, and grow up to the maturity of giving, without concern for getting anything special in return. Love is not a deal, it is a sacrifice. It is not marketing, it is a form of worship". This is (part of) what THOMAS MERTON has to say about it.

Juliana
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Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Richard, I did click and read other reactions to the story.  To me they all seemed like paraphrases of the same thing.  But I'm also content with that meaning.  I think I'll just sit with it a little longer and see what comes up.  Sometimes that works best for me.
 
I'm so glad you're posting stories again! 
 
Lori

To truly listen is to perfect one's own virtue.

Richard, and Lori, my first reaction to and interpretation of the bell Zen story (before reading the reaction of others) was this: the teacher, i.e. the Zen master, wants to convey to the disciple that the level of profundity of his advice will depend on the level of profundity of the disciple´s question. If the student suggests doing something easy, the Zen master will agree; if the task which the student chooses is a harder one, the Zen master will agree, too,  knowing that it will lead the student to a higher degree of enlightenment. Does this make sense?

Juliana
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Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Certainly does to me.  We are told that this is the very reason there are so many sutras in the Buddhist traditiom.  Buddha apparently had a talent for determining a person's/student's/disciple's needs and he taught at that level.  It just occurs to me that you, Juliana, would understand this priciple perfectly; being a trained professional of education.  Suddenly I feel like I'm preaching to the choir (lol)
 
["Say goodnight Dick";  "Good Night!"]

"We must be the change we want to see in this world."

Please light a Candle in the "zendo"

Good morning, Richard!  Forget about "professional training" of teachers as far as education is concerned (at least over here). We have a saying that these days there are teachers who teach subjects, not people (COL=cry out loud ). In search of wisdom, which means becoming more human, one has to come to this website!

Juliana
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Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

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?"
 

 
Read other People's reactions to this story:

"We must be the change we want to see in this world."

Please light a Candle in the "zendo"

Juliana:
 
Often, it appears as if Good teachers are few and far between.  However, I thought that I had detected  the good teacher qualities in your posts.
 
ttfn,rj 

Thank you, Richard, for the new story as well as for your words of affirmation! By presenting the Zen stories, you prove to be a good teacher, too ! I will reflect on the latest one.

Juliana
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"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited." Plutarch

The great warrior won the battle without lifting a finger. The young warrior's insults could not get a hold on him. The great one held on to his power which was greater than the power of the young one's insults. Because the great one not accepting the insults, they fell back onto the young warrior. No wonder he was ashamed! A "gift" not accepted, no matter what it is, belongs to the giver!
 
Edda

Peace and joy!