Category Archives: Zen Stories

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 “Zen story : Reciting Scriptures”

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 “Zen Story : Black-Nosed Buddha”

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 “A Zen Story : True Prosperity”

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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 “A Zen Story : The Sound Of One Hand”

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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 Zen story : A Parable”

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 “A Zen Story : Cup of Tea”

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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 “A Zen Story: No Water, No Moon”

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 “A Zen Story : Publishing the Sutras (scriptures)”

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Written By: Sky Yang Two monks were once traveling together into town. They went through a shortcut passing through the woods. Half way through their travels, they were met with a river cutting across their path. As they prepare to cross the river, they noticed a young and beautiful woman in a fine dress alongContinue reading “A Zen Story: Crossing the River”

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Written By: Sky Yang There was once a skilled Samurai who was on his journey. He had reached a certain level of mastery that he began experiencing a deeper dimension in life through his practice. Puzzled by his thoughts, he visited a zen master. He asked, “Is there really heaven and hell?”. “Who are you?”Continue reading “A zen story: “The Gates of Heaven””