Zen Stories

28. Open Your Own Treasure House
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 me asking me is your treasure house.'
Daiju was enlightened! Ever after he urged his friends:
'Open your own treasure house and use those treasures.'


29. No Water, No Moon
When the nun Chiyono studied Zen under Bukko of Engarku she was unable to attain the fruits of meditation for a long time.

At last one moonlit night she was carrying water in an old pail bound with bamboo. The bamboo broke and the bottom fell out of the pail, and at that moment Chiyono was set free!

In commemoration, she wrote a poem:
In this way and that I tried to save the old pail
Since the bamboo strip was weakening and about to break
Until at last the bottom fell out.No more water in the Pail!
No more moon in the water!


30. Calling Card
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. Tell him to get out of here.'

The attendant carried the card back with apologies. ‘That was my error,' said the governor and with a pencil he scratched out the words Governor of Kyoto. 'Ask your teacher again.'

'Oh, is that Kitagaki?' exclaimed the teacher when he saw the card. 'I want to see that fellow.
 

31. Everything is Best
When Banzan was walking through a market he overheard a conversation between a butcher and his customer.
'Give me the best piece of meat you have,' said the customer.

'Everything in my shop is the best,' replied me butcher. "You cannot find here any piece of meat that is not the best.'
At these words Banzan became enlightened.


32. Inch Time Foot Gem
A lord asked Takuan, a Zen teacher to suggest how he might pass the time. He felt his day very long attending his office and sitting stiffly to receive the homage of others.

Takuan wrote eight Chinese characters and gave them to the man:
Not twice this day
Inch time foot gem
This day will not come again.
Each minute is worth a priceless gem.