Tozan had a question about whether inanimate objects expound the dharma. Tozan visited Isan, who recommended that he go to see Ungan. With Ungan, Tozan was first made aware of the truth, and he composed the following gatha to record his experience: … Continued
A man came, a monk, not belonging to the Zen people. He wanted to be initiated by the master, a Zen master. He was asked, ’From where are you coming?’ He said, ’I come from a monastery which is called ”the monastery … Continued
Hogen, a Chinese Zen teacher, lived alone in a small temple in the country. One day four traveling monks appeared and asked if they might make a fire in his yard to warm themselves. While they were building the fire, … Continued
When Bankei was preaching at Ryumon temple, a Shinshu priest, who believed in salvation through repetition of the name of the Buddha of Love, was jealous of his large audience and wanted to debate with him. Bankei was in the … Continued
The pupils of the Tendai school used to study meditation before Zen entered Japan. Four of them who were intimate friends promised one another to observe seven days of silence. On the first day all were silent. Their meditation … Continued