2024: Index Z

 Zen Koan

"When you set yourself free of life and death, you should know your ultimate destination.  So when the four elements separate, where will you go?" (01/26/2022)

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Zen Mondo

A samurai once asked Zen Master Hakuin where he would go after he died.  Hakuin answered, "How am I supposed to know?"

"How do you know? You're a Zen master!" exclaimed the samurai.

"Yes, but not a dead one," Hakuin answered.  

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"One day Nan-ch'uan told Kuei-tsung and Ma-yu that he was going to take them to visit the National Teacher.  Before they began their journey, Nan-ch'uan drew a circle on the road and said, "As soon as you give a right answer, we will be on our way."  Immediately Kuei-tsung sat down inside the circle and Ma-yu bowed.  Nan-ch'uan said: "Judging by this answer, it will not be necessary to go."  (08/01/2022)

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"What is the most miraculous of all mistakes?

"That I sit quietly by myself." (05/03/2023)

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"When Daisetz T. Suzuki was once asked, "What is Zen?" his answer was:  "Zen is that which makes you ask the question, for the answer comes from where the question arises ...  When you ask what Zen is, you are asking who you are, what your Self is. Isn't it the height of stupidity to ask what your Self is, when it is this very Self that makes you ask the question.?"  (10/23/2023)

Zen Proverb

"The world is won by those who let it go."

Zen Story

"One evening a farmer was just drifting off to sleep when he heard a noise in the orchard outside.  Investigating, he noticed a young man from the village up in one of his trees, stealing fruit.  Quietly the farmer went into the shed where he kept his ladder and brought it to the tree so that the thief might safely climb down and slip away unharmed."  (08/28/2023)

Zen Saying

"He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool  -- shun him.

"He who knows not, and knows that he knows not is a child -- teach him.

"He who knows, and knows not that he knows is asleepl -- wake him.

"But he who knows, and knows that he knows, is a wise man -- follow him."  (06/29/2022)

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"No seed ever sees the flower."  (05/14/2023) 

"Your practice is your life."

Zhuang Zhou see Chuang-tzu