Zen Stories

25. Three Days More
Suiwo, the disciple of Hakuin, was a good teacher. During one summer seclusion period, a pupil came to him from a southern island of Japan.

Suiwo gave him the problem: 'Hear the sound of one hand.'
The pupil remained three years but could not pass this test. One night he came in tears to Suiwo. 'I must return south in shame and embarrassment,' he said, 'for I cannot solve my problem.'

'Wait one week more and meditate constantly,' advised Suiwo.
Still no enlightenment came to the pupil. Try for another week,' said Suiwo. The pupil obeyed, but in vain.

'Still another week.' Yet this was of no avail. In despair the student begged to be released, but Suiwo requested another meditation of five day. They were without result.

Then he said: 'Mediate for three day longer, then if you fail to attain
enlightenment, you had better kill yourself.'
On the second day the pupil was enlightened.

26. Trading Dialogue for Lodging
Provided he makes and wins an argument about Buddhism with those who live there any wandering 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 brothers monks were dwelling together. The elder one was learned, but the younger one was stupid and had but one eye.

A wandering monk came and asked for lodging properly challenging them to a debate about the sublime teaching. The elder brother, tired that day from much studying, told the younger one to take his place. 'Go and request the dialogue in silence,’ he cautioned.

So the young monk and the strange went to the shrine and sat down. Shortly afterwards the traveler rose and went in to the elder brother and said: 'Your young brother is a wonderful fellow. He defeated me.'

'Relate the dialogue to me,' said the elder one.
'Well,' explained the traveler,' first I held up one finger, representing Buddha, the enlightened one. So he held up two fingers, signifying Buddha and his teaching.

I held up three fingers representing Buddha, his teaching, and his followers
living the harmonious life. Then he shook his clenched fist in my face, indicating that all three come from one realization.

Thus he won and so I have no right to remain here.'
With this, the traveler left.
'Where is that fellow?' asked the younger one, running in to his elder brother.
“I understand you won the debate.'
'Won nothing. I'm going to beat him up.'

‘Tell me the subject of the debate,' asked the elder one.
'Why, the minute he saw me he held up one finger, insulting me by insinuating that I have only one eye. Since he was a stranger I thought I would be polite to him, so I held up two fingers congratulating him that he her two eyes.

Then the impolite wretch held up three fingers, suggesting that between us we only have three eyes. So I got mad and started to punch him, bur he ran out and that ended it.’

27. The Voice of Happiness
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 of envy. When condolence is expressed for the misfortune of another. I hear pleasure and satisfaction as if the one condoling was really glad there was something left to gain in his own world.

'In all my experience however, Bankei's voice was always sincere. Whenever he expressed happiness, I heard nothing but happiness, and whenever he expressed sorrow, sorrow was all I heard.'