The Truly Wise Old Monk | A Short Zen Story

A young Zen monk was recognized by his teacher as having experienced an initial breakthrough enlightenment. His teacher then told the young man that, for realizing complete, irreversible enlightenment, he would need to study under a certain wise old master whose small temple was situated in another part of the country. And so the young man set off to meet the old master. After several weeks of travel, he finally arrived at the remote temple.

The sentry told him that all the other monks were working at their daily chores, and sent the young man straightaway to the meditation hall to meet the venerable master.

Entering the meditation hall, the young monk espied an old man doing repeated prostrations to a simple statue of the Buddha, softly chanting the name of Buddha Amida (who saves all sentient beings from suffering).

The young man was shocked. Having realized from his teacher the basic truth that the Self or Buddha-nature is formless openness-emptiness, utterly transcendent and all-pervasive, he was a bit disturbed to see the old man apparently still caught up in such “dualistic” practices—ritually bowing to an idol and chanting with devotion to a mythical Buddha.

And so he came up to the aged monk, introduced himself, and, from his “truly enlightened” perspective, proceeded to lecture the old man on the futility and stupidity of worshiping mere forms. Finally, his brief rant over, he realized that, having traveled such a long way to meet the “master,” he should probably ask the old monk for whatever wisdom he had to share. “So, old man, what can you tell me about full enlightenment?”

In response, the master resumed sincerely bowing in gratitude before the statue of the Buddha, gently invoking the Name of Amida on behalf of all beings….

And, in a flash, the young man fully understood the way of true spirituality.

Enter The Silent Temple | A Short Zen Story

Hainan, PR China

Been looking in to Buddhist culture a lot more since my visit to the Monastery in Hainan. My background has really been a simple Zen approach without chanting sutras and meditation routines. 

It seems that this varies from teacher to teacher and not just from culture to culture. What structure have you in place?

Reminds me of this story.

Shochi was a one-eyed teacher of Zen, sparkling with enlightenment. He taught his disciple in Tofuku temple.
 
Day and night the whole temple stood in silence. There was no sound at all. Even the reciting of sutras was abolished by the teacher. His pupils had nothing to do but meditate.

What the master passed away, an old neighbor heard the ringing of bells and the recitation of sutras. Then she knew.

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Has Your Light Gone Out? | A Short Zen Story

A student of Tendai a philosophical school of Buddhism, came to the Zen abode of Gasan as a pupil. When he was departing a few years later, Gasan warned him: 

'Studying the truth speculatively is useful as a way of collecting preaching material. But remember that unless you meditate constantly your light of truth may go out.'

The Secret of Sour Miso | A Short Zen Story

This story sprang to mind today whist having a conversation with a friend about how her parents always waited for her and her brother to finish their meals before eating. Not exactly the same but hey that's how this Blog comes together.

I do love those old master and their staunch commitment to their students.

The cook monk Dairyo, at Bankei's monastery, decided that he would take good care of his old teacher's health and give him only fresh miso, a paste of soy beans mixed with wheat and yeast that often ferments. Bankei, noticing that he was being served better miso than his pupils, asked: 
'Who is the cook today?'

Dairyo was sent before him. Bankei learned that according to his age and position he should eat only fresh miso. So he said to the cook: Then you think I shouldn't eat at all.' With this he entered his room and locked the door.

Dairyo, sitting outside the door, asked his teacher’s pardon. Bankei would not answer. For seven days Dairyo sit outside and Bankei within.

Finally in desperation an adherent called loudly to Bankei:

'You may be all right old teacher, but this young disciple here has to eat. He cannot go without food forever!’

At that Bankei opened the door. He was smiling. He told Dairyo:
'I insist on eating the same food as the least of my followers. When you become the teacher I do not want you to forget this.'


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Little Monk Portrait

This piece took 3 hours in Adobe Illustrator. I added the metropolis-esk landscape just because it felt right at the time. 

No idea what the floppy sleeves are all about. :)

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