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Zen Stories
22. 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 regular hour.
Partake of food at regular
intervals.
Eat with moderation and never to the
point of satisfaction.
Receive a guest with the same attitude you have when
alone.
When alone, maintain the same attitude you
have in
receiving guests.
Watch what you say, and whatever you say, practice
it.
When an opportunity comes do not let it pass by, yet
always think twice before acting.
Do not regret the past. Look to the future.
Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving
heart of a child.
Upon retiring sleep as if you had entered your last
sleep.
Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you
instantly
as if you
had cast away a pair of old shoes.
23. Eshun’s Departure
When Eshun, the Zennun, was past sixty and about to
leave the world, she asked some monks to pile up
wood in the yard.
Seating herself firmly in the center of the funeral
pyre, she had it set fire around the edges.
‘O nun!’ shouted the monk, ‘is it hot in there?’
‘Such a matter would concern only a stupid person
like yourself,’ answered Eshun.
The flames arose, and she passed away.
24. 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 will benefit,' said
the farmer, 'my wife may be very weak and others
will take advantage of
her, getting the benefit she should have. So please
recite sutras just for her.'
The priest explained that it was the desire of a
Buddhist to offer blessings and wish merit for every
living being.
That is a fine teaching,' concluded the farmer, 'but
please make one exception. I have a neighbor who is
rough and mean
to me. Just exclude him from all those sentient
beings.'
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