Category: Zen

Approaching the gates of the monastery, Hakuin found Ken the Zen preaching to a group of disciples. “Words…” Ken orated, “they are but an illusory veil obfuscating the absolute reality of –” “Ken!” Hakuin interrupted. “Your fly is down!” Whereupon the Clear Light of Illumination exploded upon Ken, and he vaporized. On the way to…

Yamaoka Tesshu was a tutor of the emperor in Japan. He was also a master of fencing and a profound student of Zen. His home was the abode of vagaonds. He had but one suit of clothes, for they kept him always poor. The emperor, observing how worn his garments were, gave Yamaoka some money…