Awakening Times

  • BlogTransform Yourself
    • Soul
    • Consciousness
    • Mind
    • Body
    • Earth
  • MagazineRead Premium Articles
  • ShopBuy Single Issue
    • View Your CartCheck Your Items
  • Subscribe to MembershipBecome a Member
  • ContactGet in Touch
Home Zen Buddhist Stories

Zen Buddhist Stories

zen buddhist stories

Zen Buddhism (derived from Chan Buddhism in China) is one of the most famous types of Buddhism in the West. It has similarities with Taoism as well.

Zen has become famous in the west for it's short stories, it's koan's, it's tea ceremony and it's calm way of life.

 

Maybe (Taoist story)

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"Maybe," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed.

"Maybe," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "Maybe," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "Maybe," said the farmer.

Obsessed: crossing the river

Two traveling monks reached a river where they met a young woman. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her across. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other bank. She thanked him and departed. As the monks continued on their way, the one was brooding and preoccupied. Unable to hold his silence, he spoke out.

"Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked that one up on your shoulders and carried her!"

"Brother," the second monk replied, "I set her down on the other side, while you are still carrying her."

zen buddhism

Ritual Cat

When the spiritual teacher and his disciples began their evening meditation, a cat who lived in the monastery made such noise that it distracted them. One day the teacher ordered that the cat be tied up during the evening practice.

Years later, when the teacher died, the cat continued to be tied up during the meditation session. And when the cat eventually died, another cat was brought to the monastery and tied up. Centuries later, learned descendants of the spiritual teacher wrote scholarly treatises about the religious significance of tying up a cat for meditation practice.

Wooden Coffin

A farmer got so old that he couldn't work the fields anymore. So he would spend the day just sitting on the porch. His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there. "He's of no use any more," the son thought to himself, "he doesn't do anything!" One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wooden coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to get in. Without saying anything, the father climbed inside.

After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff. As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin. He opened it up. Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son. "I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?" "What is it?" replied the son. "Throw me over the cliff, if you like," said the father, "but save this good wooden coffin. Your children might need to use it."

 

 

 

Source: katinkahesselink.net

Apr 15, 2016Editorial Team
Lost City of 'Cloud People' Found in Peru Sound into Form: Cymatics Insights and the Sri Yantra
You Might Also Like
 
Nutrition for the Third Eye: Reactivate Your Pineal Gland
 
My Loving Lord

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Editorial Team
2 years ago Members Only Articleszen buddhist stories143
0
GooglePlus
0
Facebook
0
Twitter
0
Pinterest
Login

  • Register
  • Lost Password
~ Order your Hard Copy ~
The Awakening Times | November 2014

The Awakening Times

This magazine aims to deliver the true and practical spiritual life beyond all religious barriers; to explore and present the subtleties of existence through the experiences of numerous spiritual explorers, masters and experiential spiritualists; to support the seekers in the path of enlightenment and total liberation through meaningful guidance.
Find out more on MagCloud
Advertise with us
Would you like to share your product or service with our global audience? Contact us at info@awakeningtimes.com
Categories
  • Body (20)
  • Consciousness (36)
  • Earth (25)
  • Members Only Articles (404)
  • Mind (30)
  • Soul (33)
  • Uncategorized (4)
Sharing is caring
0
GooglePlus
0
Facebook
0
Twitter
0
Pinterest
PRIVACY POLICY

Please read ourĀ Privacy Policy

Contact Us

Email: info@awakeningtimes.com

2014 © Awakening Times