Parable 19: Shoes and Umbrella

"Go practice for seven years," said the teacher.

The monk practiced for seven years. Then he went to see his teacher.

It was raining, and when he entered the teacher's house, he left his wet shoes and umbrella on the porch.

The teacher did not greet him. Instead, he asked, "Did you leave your shoes and umbrella on the porch?" 

"Yes," replied the monk.

"And did you place the umbrella to the left of the shoes, or to the right?"

The monk did not answer.

The monk did not know.

"Go practice for seven more years," said the teacher, smiling.

~ ~ ~

You can read this story in 108 Zen Parables and Stories by Olga Gutsol. It is traditionally told about the Zen teacher Ikkyū Sōjun; you can read more about Ikkyū at Wikipedia.

This is a very simple story, and I really like it. We practice mindfulness and awareness in my meditation group, but I'm a long way from this awareness. Although I'm practicing... practicing...

monks in Cambodia

Parable 9: Bird's Nest

There was once a monk who spent all his time in a tree, perched high in the air; his nickname was the "Bird's Nest."
Having heard of this great teacher, the district governor came to visit and was shocked when he saw the monk so high up in the tree.
"Living in a tree is dangerous!" the governor shouted. "You could easily fall! Come down here on the ground where it's safe."
"Is it safe down there, on the ground?" replied the monk. "Your life in the emperor's court is far more dangerous than my life here in the tree."

~ ~ ~

I like this type of wise-fool story, where the seemingly foolish person gets you to think about things different. You can read this story in 108 Zen Parables and Stories by Olga Gutsol. The story also appears in one of Suzuki's talks on Buddhism. 

The name of the governor in the story is Hakurakuten, also known as Bai Juyi, who lived during the Tang dynasty; he was also a poet and scholar. This source does not give the name of the monk, but from other sources I learned that he is Niaoge Daolin, who was famed for sitting in and teaching from the top of a pine tree; his nickname was Zen Master Choka, or Bird Nest.

It reminds me of a joke (was this a medieval fable? I'm not sure) about the man who refused to get into bed. When the people asked him why, he said, "My father died in bed, and so did my mother, and my grandfathers, and my grandmothers. Beds are dangerous places!" And... they are! In other words, no place is safe, not really.

detail from The Zen Priest Choka by Tawaraya Sotatsu

Parable 5: That Will Pass

A student began meditating.
Sitting straight and tall.
Following the breath.
In. Out. In. Out.
Just sitting. Just breathing.
"But the meditation isn't working," the student complained. "My back hurts, and I can't stop thinking about things. Sometimes I fall asleep! I don't know what to do."
"That will pass," replied the teacher, smiling.
The student kept on meditating.
Sitting straight and tall.
Following the breath.
In. Out. In. Out.
Just sitting. Just breathing.
Several weeks later, the same student reported, "My meditation is going great! I'm completely at ease; it feels wonderful!"
"That will pass," replied the teacher, smiling.

~ ~ ~

This one always makes me laugh! You can read this story in 108 Zen Parables and Stories by Olga Gutsol. I reminds me of the proverb about Sai's horse; I should do that as a proverb next time!

CC0 image from rawpixels