A monk told Joshu: “I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me.”Joshu asked: “Have you eaten your rice porridge?”The monk replied: “I have eaten.”Joshu said: “Then you had better wash your bowl.”At that moment the monk was enlightened. […]
The old man and the happiness
An old man was living in a small village. Neighbours were tired of him. He was always sad, constantly complaining, always in a bad mood. The longer he lived, the viler he became and the more poisonous his words were. People did everything it was possible to avoid him because his misfortune was contagious. He […]
Aikido
After observing O Sensei (the founder of Aikido), sparring with an accomplished fighter, a young student said to the master: – “You never lose your balance. What is your secret?” – “You are wrong,” O Sensei replied. “I am constantly losing my balance. My skill lies in my ability to regain it.” Illustration available here. […]
Tie your camel first
A master was traveling with one of his disciples. The disciple was in charge of the camel’s care. They arrived at night, tired, to an oasis. It was the responsibility of the disciple to tie the camel; however, he did not and let it loose. Instead, he just prayed, asked God, “Take care of the […]
That’s Okay. It Will Pass
A student went to see his meditation teacher and said, “My meditation is horrible! I feel so distracted most of the time, my legs ache, or I’m repeatedly falling asleep. It’s terrible.” Said the teacher matter-of-factly: “That’s okay. It will pass.” A week later, the student returned to his teacher. “My meditation is wonderful! I […]
The deer and the heavenly scent
A musk deer who, very early in her life, began to notice this heavenly scent in the air. Intoxicated by this divine aroma, she set out to find the source. She searched the depths of every forest, smelled around every tree, every blade of grass and still couldn’t discover where this scent was coming from. […]
The man who says yes
A man went to a Buddhist monastery for a silent retreat. After he finished, he felt better, calmer, stronger, but something was missing. The teacher said he could talk to one of the monks before he left. The man thought for a while, then asked: “How do you find peace?” The monk said: “I say […]
A porcelain spoon
A high mountain casts its shadow over a small village all day. Children, due to lack of sun, grow stunted. One day, the inhabitants see how an old man walks away from the village carrying a porcelain spoon in his hand. – Where are you going?, they ask. – I am going to the mountain, […]
The blind and the elephant
A maharajah asked all blind people to be gathered. Then, he ordered to place an elephant in front of them so they could share what they found. After touching the head, some said: “It looks like a gear of a lever!”. Those who felt the ear, assured: “It looks like a fan to make wind”. […]
Two wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said: – “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is […]
