Written By: Sky Yang During a hypothetical conversation with a student contemplating the difficult path of a monk or nun, a particular monk’s story came to my mind. Jigong, also known as Zen master Daoji, is often referred to as the Drunken Monk or the Mad Monk due to his unconventional lifestyle. Widely revered asContinue reading “The Tale of The Mad Monk”
Category Archives: Zen Stories
The Filipino Fisherman
Written By: Sky Yang Over the years I’ve came by many stories, and today, I will share one that hopefully, allows some food for thought. Once there was a wealthy, retired foreigner vacationing in the islands of the Philippines. One morning as he sat by the beach, enjoying his beverage with his family, he sawContinue reading “The Filipino Fisherman”
Reciting Scriptures
Written By: Sky Yang A farmer requested a monk to recite sutras (scriptures) for his late wife, who had died. After the recitation was over, the farmer asked “Do you think my wife will gain merits from this?” “Not only your wife, but all sentient beings will benefit from the recitation of sutras” said theContinue reading “Reciting Scriptures”
Black-Nosed Buddha
Written by: Sky Yang A nun who was searching for enlightenment made a statue of Buddha which she gilded. Wherever she went, she would carry this golden Buddha with her. Years has gone by and still she carries her Buddha. The nun came to settle in a small temple in a province where there wereContinue reading “Black-Nosed Buddha”
True Prosperity
Written By: Sky Yang A rich man asked a zen master to write something for the continued prosperity of his family so that it can be treasured from generation to generation. The zen master wrote on a large sheet of paper, “Father dies, Son dies, Grandson dies.” The rich man became furious upon reading theContinue reading “True Prosperity”
The Sound Of One Hand
Written By: Sky Yang A Zen master once had a young protégé who was only twelve yrs old. Day after day, the young protege watches the older disciples visit the master’s room each morning and evening to receive instruction in Sanzen (personal guidance) in which they were given parables to ponder. The young protege wishedContinue reading “The Sound Of One Hand”
A Parable
Written By: Sky Yang Buddha told a short story in the sutra: There was once a man traveling across a jungle. He encounters a tiger, locked eyes with the beast and instantly decided to make a run for it. Sure enough, the tiger pursuits after him. Coming to a precipice, he leaped over and caughtContinue reading “A Parable”
Cup of Tea
Written By: Sky Yang Once a Zen master received a university professor who came to learn the ways of Zen. The zen master prepared tea, they sat, and the master begins to pour his guest a cup. He poured the tea to the brim, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflowing teaContinue reading “Cup of Tea”
No Water, No Moon
Written By: Sky Yang Once happened a nun who studied zen for many years was unable to bear fruits with her practice. At last one moonlit night, as she was fetching water with an old pail bounded by bamboo. She watches the water fill the pail and saw the bright reflection of the moon. GazingContinue reading “No Water, No Moon”
Publishing the Sutras (scriptures)
Written By: Sky Yang Long ago in Japan, a devotee of zen decided to publish the sutras (scriptures), which at the time were only available in Chinese. The books were to be printed with wood blocks in an edition of seven thousand copies, a tremendous task. So he began by traveling and collecting donations forContinue reading “Publishing the Sutras (scriptures)”