Stories of Wisdom - Entertaining and Enlightening Stories

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Publishing 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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Comments

7 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by chayne de cairns

January 13th 2007 23:04

one of the most beautiful stories i have heard. thank you.

Comment by Deorre

January 14th 2007 01:44

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

Very interesting and informative.

Thanks to you.

Comment by Lilla

January 14th 2007 02:19

From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop

WR1Family,

as always, thank you for this wonderful and uplifting story ... wonderful...

Lilla

Comment by Adrian

January 14th 2007 02:43

Philosophy Blog

Charming story! Thanks for posting it.

Comment by Tracy

January 15th 2007 09:07

Movies and Life

Amazing and inspiring...

Comment by Astudent

March 2nd 2007 02:06

I need to do a report on Zen parables. Could anybody summarize the lesson learned in this story in one sentence?

Comment by Lilla

March 2nd 2007 02:30

From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop

If I may WR1, thank you...

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 ...

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