ZEN STORIES
1. How Grass and Trees Become Enlightened
Shinkan came back to Japan from China after his contemplation of Zen over thirteen years.
One day a fifty-year-old student of enlightenment said to Shinkan, “I have studied the Tendai school of thought since I was a little boy, but one thing in it I cannot understand. Tendai claims that even the grass and trees will become enlightened. To me this seems very strange.”
“Of what use is it to discuss how grass and trees become enlightened?”, asked Shinkan, “The question is how you yourself can become so. Did you even consider that?”
“I never thought of it that way,” marveled the student
“Then go home and think it over”
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2. Best Piece
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 the butcher, “You cannot find here any piece of meat that is not the best.”
At these words Banzan became enlightened.
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