The Real Talent
After winning several archery contests, the young and rather boastful champion challenged a Zen master who was renowned for his skill as an archer. The young man demonstrated remarkable technical
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Stories of Wisdom - Entertaining and Enlightening Stories
Inspiring entertaining and enlightening stories of wisdom from cultures all around the world. Enjoy and get inspired!
Great Waves of the Mind
There was a wrestler named "Great Waves". He was immensely strong and knew the art of wrestling. In his private bouts, he was so powerful that even his teacher was
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Drops of Water Wears Hole in Stone
Zhang Guai Ya was an honest judge very well known in his time as a figure who was totally against corruption that was literally spreading everywhere during Song Dynasty (960-1279
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Donkey in Kuei-Chou
There are no donkeys in Keui-Chou. Once a man brought one up the river on a cargo boat; but on his arrival he saw that it could not be used
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Losing Goat
There was once a goatherd named Zhang San. He raised many goats by the side of his house. One morning, as usual, before he started herding the goats, he counted
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Carry a Long Pole Through the Gate
A man from Lu tried to enter the City Gate carrying a long pole. First, he held the pole upright, but the pole could not pass through the gate. Then
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Prejudice
Le Guang had a very close friend who had never yet come to visit his house again for a very long time. Le Guang was bewildered with it and asked
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Greater the Haste the Slower It Is
A youth went up to a mountain to look for a famous swordsman to learn swordsmanship "Master, if i practice diligently, how long would it take me to become adept
Category: Oriental Thoughts
ZhaoZhou finding out about ZhaoZhou
A traveller on journey to ZhaoZhou asked a nearby old woman, "I am looking for ZhaoZhou. How should i proceed?" The old woman instructed, ""Go straight, do not turn west
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Past, Present, Future
Buddha once told a parable: A man encountered a tiger in the wilderness... He ran to a cliff and with both hands grabbed hold of an overhanging vine while the
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Laughter That Unites Heaven and Earth
One evening, Zen master Yaoshan Weiyan of the Tang Dynasty walked up to the mountain. Suddenly, the clouds and mist lifted, revealing the bright moon. Yaoshan burst into laughter. "Ha
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Please Get In The Pot
There were two official who was very well known for their ferocity during the reign of Tang Dynasty (618-907). Each named Zhou Xing and Lai Jun. One day there was
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Dongshan's no Cold or Heat
A zen pupil asked master dongshan liangjie of the Tang dynasty: "When cold and heat come, how can we avoid them?" "Why not go to a place where there is
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Magic Bell
Once a theft had occurred in an inn. All the ways the police had tried, but none succeded. Finally the police came up with a unique method. The police gathered
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Stamp Box and The Stamp
Once there was an official who had done so many corruptions in his office, that the emperor sent an auditor to audit him. Realizing what was going to happen, the
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Knight on The Roof
In the time of East Han Dynasty (25-220) there was a very honest person named Chen Shi. As a civil worker for the government, he was respected by his co-workers
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Saying Deer as Horse
During the reign of the second emperor of Qin dynasty, one of his minister named Zhao Gao was attempting to take over the kingdom. The biggest obstacle he was facing
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The First Principle
A disciple asked a Zen master Fayan Wenyi, "What is the first principle of the dharma (divine teaching)?" The master was silent for a moment before replying, "It will be
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Jingqing and the Sound of the Raindrops
Jingqing Daofu of the Tang Dynasty said to his disciple: "What is the sound outside?" "The sound of the rain." "Sentinent beings are inverted. They lose themselves and follow after
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Fragrance of the Osmathus
A commoner ask a Zen master, "What is the profound mystery of Zen?" The Zen master answered, " The Analects of Confucius say: 'I have concealed nothing from you'. In
Category: Oriental Thoughts
No Substitute
"May i ask what is the meaning of Zen?" "I would very much like to tell you..." "But now i have to go to urinate. Think about it. Even for
Category: Oriental Thoughts
There Is and There Is Not
Scholar ZhangZhou asked Zen master Xitang Chizang of the Tang dynasty, "Is there paradise and hell?" Master Xitang answered, "Yes". With an unbelieving face the scholar said, "That is not
Category: Oriental Thoughts
A Bunch of Idiots
When the disciples was busy planting the seeds at the temple farm, Master Guizong Zhichang drew a circle around one vegetable seed, "No one shall move it." He came back
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Finger pointing at the moon
The nun Wu Jincang asked the Sixth Patriach Huineng, "I have studied the Mahaparinirvana sutra for many years, yet there are many areas i do not quite understand. Please enlighten
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Ordinary Mindedness is The Way
"Master, how to dilligently practice the Tao?" "When hungry, eat: when tired, sleep." "Is this not what most people do?" "No, no, no! Most people are not like that." "Most
Category: Oriental Thoughts
I am Here
Yuyan was brewing tea when his fellow disciple DaoWu walked in... DaoWu: "Who are you brewing tea for?" YuYan: "Someone wants to drink it." DaoWu: "Cant the person who wants
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Hidden Bliss
Among the villagers that live on the border, there was a family head who was very eloquent in speaking. One day his family horse without any clear reason fled to
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Is Xhi Shi Really Beautiful
If from the beginning we had called the sky 'horse'. And called the ground "point". Then the sky would be "horse" and the ground would be "point". When people think
Category: Oriental Thoughts
A Story of Bhakti
Yen Siau, a 7 year old boy was a smart, wise and devoted child. He had a father who doesnt care for his parents (Yen Siau's grandfather) and intended to
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Too Near but Cant See
One day, while Nanquan Puyuan of the Tang dynasty was cutting grass, a wandering monk asked him for directions, "May i ask how to get to the famous temple of
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The General Antique
A general was toying with his prized antique, then it almost fell to the ground, "Aiyah! That was close!" The general was silent for some moment thinking, "I have commanded
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Time To Die
Ikkyu, the Zen master, was very clever even as a boy. His teacher had a precious teacup, a rare antique. Ikkyu happened to break this cup and was greatly perplexed
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Struggling Butterfly
A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On that day a small
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Perseverance of the Spider
Once an emperor who was in furious pursuit by his enemies managed to hide himself inside a cave . The rain was pouring very heavily outside the cave. Suddenly the
Category: Oriental Thoughts
No Work, No Food
Hyakujo, the Chinese Zen master, used to labor with his pupils even at the age of eighty, trimming the gardens, cleaning the grounds, and pruning the trees. The pupils felt
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Nothing exists
Yamaoka Tesshu, as a young student of Zen, visited one master after another. He called upon Dokuon of Shokoku. Desiring to know his attainment, he said: "The mind, Buddha, and
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Brotherhood
Two brothers worked together on a farming field passed on from their parents. The one, the older brother, had married and have quite a big family. The younger brother was
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Stone Mind
Hogen, a Chinese Zen teacher, lived alone in a small temple in the country. One day four travelling monks appeared and asked if they might make a fire in this
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Real Prosperity
A rich man asked Sengai to write something for the continued prosperity of his family so that it might be treasured from generation to generation. Sengai obtained a large sheet
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Temper
A Zen student came to Bankei and complained: "Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?" "You have something very strange," replied Bankei. "Let me see what
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Too Full to Learn
Nan Yin master is a very well known Zen master at that time of Ming dynasty. One day, he was visited by a scholar who came to ask about Zen
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Greedy Farmer
Long time ago, there was a very greedy farmer who had possesed more than hundreds hectares of land went to see Dalai Lama of Tibet to ask for land. Upon
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Blockhead Lord
Two Zen teachers, Daigu and Gudo, were invited to visit a lord. Upon arriving, Gudo said to the lord: "You are wise by nature and have an inborn ability to
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Real Poison
After marrying with the man she loves dearly, a young beautiful woman lived together with her mother in law. In just short time, she realized that there were clashes and
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Learning To Be Silent
The pupils of the Tendai school used to study meditation before Zen entered Japan. Four of them who were intimate friends promised one another to observe seven days of silence
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The King's Dream
A King woke up dreaming about losing all his teeth. He summoned a very well known fortune teller of his kingdom to interpret his dream. "All losing teeth means the
Category: Oriental Thoughts
In The Hands Of Destiny
A great Japanese warrior named Nobunaga decided to attack the enemy although he had only one-tenth the number of men the opposition commanded. He knew that he would win, but
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Neglected Temple
Once, three monks gathered at an unattented lonely temples. "Why is this temple so unattended?", nobody knew who started the conversation, but then, "Must be because the monks do not
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Thief Who Became A Disciple
One evening as Shicirin Kojun was reciting sutras, a thief with a sharp sword entered, demanding either his money or his life. Shichiri told him: "Do not disturb me. You
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Tunnel
Zenkai, the son of a samurai, journeyed to Edo and there became the retainer of a high official. He fell in love with the official's wife and was discovered. In
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Bad and Good People
One day, a young monk went to see his master. "Teacher, you said that we should save both bad and good people. But then bad people had lost their True
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Stingy Artist
Gessen was an artist monk. Before he would start a drawing or painting he always insisted upon being paid in advance and his fees were high. He was known as
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Seeking Truth
A man had been wounded by a poisoned arrow and when attended to by a physician were to say, 'I will not allow you to remove this arrow until I
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Gates Of Paradise
A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked: "Is there really a paradise and a hell?" "Who are you?" inquired Hakuin. "I am a samurai," the warrior replied. "You
Category: Oriental Thoughts
No Talk!
Before Zen teachings was spread throughout Japan, ThienTai teachings had already taught meditation. At that time, there were four monks who were very close to each other. But for the
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Giver Should Be Thankful
While Seisetsu was the master of Engaku in Kamakura he required larger quarters, since those in which he was teaching was overcrowded. Umezu Seibei, a merchant of Edo, decided to
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Right and Wrong
When Bankei held his seclusion-weeks or meditation, pupils from many parts of Japan came to attend. During one of these gatherings, a pupil was caught stealing. The matter was reported
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Publishing the Sutras
Tetsugen, a devotee of Zen in Japan, decided to publish the sutras(holy scripts), which at that time were available only in Chinese. The books were to be printed with wood
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Real Problem
Centuries ago, in South Korea, there lived a wise respected monk named Cing Si. He had many followers. One night, he brought in a woman into his room, and closed
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Every Minute Zen
Zen students are with their master at least ten years before they presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship, become a teacher. The
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Everything Is Best
When Banzan was walking through market he overheard a conversation between a butcher and his customer. "Give me the best piece of meat you have," said the customer. "Everything in
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Kitagaki - Who is He
Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral In Kyoto. One day the governor of Kyoto called upon him for the first
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Trading Dialogue for Lodging
Provided he makes and wins an argument about Buddhism with those who live there, any wandering monk can remain in a Zen temple. If he is defeated, he has to
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Happy Chinaman
Anyone walking about Chinatown in America will observe statues of a stoud fellow carrying a linen sack. Chinese merchants call him Happy Chinaman or Laughing Buddha. This Hotei lived in
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Pretty Girl across Muddy Road
Tanzan and Ekido were once travelling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling. Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Obedience
The master Bankei's talks were attended not only by Zen students but by persons of all ranks and sects. He never quoted sutras nor indulged in scholastic dissertations. Instead, his
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Learning to Walk in Handanese way
There was once a little boy who went to the city of Handan to learn how to walk like the people there. Their way of walking is absolutely different, that
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Passing on the Flame
When oil is used to sustain a flame, even though the oil may be consumed, the flame can be transferred to another fuel and theoretically burn forever. Our bodies will
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Dreaming inside Dream
Zhang Wu Zi said to Ju Que, A person having a dream is never aware of it, and in his dream he might even do things like predict his own
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Tears of Unknowingness
On Li Ji's Wedding day, she was to be married against her will to prince Xian of Jin. She was so sad that she drenched her wedding dress in tears
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Smile Project
I am a mother of three and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Zhuangzi Borrows Grain
Zhuangzi came from a very poor family and once when he went to borrow some grain from Marquis Jian he... "I'd like to borrow thirty gold pieces to meet an
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Catch The Fish, Discard The Trap
Some people catch fish with traps. After catching the fish, the trap can be discarded. Just like snares for catching rabbits, after catching the rabbit, the snare can be forgotten
Category: Oriental Thoughts
What is the sea?
A small fish asked a great fish "I often hear others speak of the sea. But what exactly is it?" The great fish replied "Your environment is the sea. The
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Knowledge and The Dao
One day, a man named knowledge was on his way to the north when he ran into a fellow named can't say, he asked, "Excuse me, could you tell me
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Mantis Getting The Cicada
One day, when Zhuangzi was strolling through a chestnut orchard, a bird flew past him and hit him accidentally. Insulted, he searched around and returned back with a small catapult
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Old Wheelwright
One day while King Huan sat in his palace reading, an old man named Bian the wheelwright sat just outside making wheels. Bian: What's that you are reading? King: It's
Category: Oriental Thoughts
Scorpion Stings
A hindu elder saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried
Category: Oriental Thoughts
The Tidy Garden
A priest was in charge of the garden within a famous temple. He had been given the job because he loved the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to the temple
Category: Oriental Thoughts
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