WeR1FamilyPublishing the Sutras
January 13th 2007 19:42
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 blocks in an edition of seven thousand copies, a tremendous undertaking.
Tetsugen began by traveling and collecting donations for this purpose. A few sympathizers would give him a hundred piece of gold, but most of the time he receives only small coins. He thanked each donor with equal gratitude. After ten years, Tetsugen had enough money to begin his task.
It happened that at that time the River overflowed. Famine followed. Tetsugen took the funds he had collected for the books and spent them to save others from starvation. Then he began again his work of collecting.
Several years afterwards an epidemic spread over the country. Tetsugen again gave away what he had collected, to help the people.
For a third time he started his work, And after twenty years, his wish was fulfilled. The printing blocks which produced the first edition of sutras can be seen today in the Obaku monastery in Kyoto.
The Japanese tell their children that Tetsugen made three sets of sutras, and that the first two invisible sets surpass even the last.
Source: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
Image source: Iwakura.aichi
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Comment by chayne de cairns
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Thanks to you.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
as always, thank you for this wonderful and uplifting story ... wonderful...
Lilla
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Astudent
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Astudent...
"Never loose sight of your dreams, regardless of present day needs"
..um.. how about...
"Sacrifice, has it's own rewards"
..or ...
"Only the wise can discern between need and greed"
My favourite (which isn't mine at all) but written by William Cowper.
"Wisdom and goodness are twin-born, one heart must hold both sisters, never seen apart."
I hope that helps you in your studies,
best of luck...
Lilla ...