Zen Stuff

A dog barking and the sound of water; Peach blossoms heavy with dew. In these deep woods, deer can be seen; At noon along the stream, I hear no bell. Wild bamboo divides gray clouds; Waterfalls hang from blue peaks. No one knows where you’ve gone; Disheartened, I lean against a second, Now a third pine. - Li Po Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

Joshu asked Nansen: `What is the path?' Nansen said: `Everyday life is the path.' Joshu asked: `Can it be studied?' Nansen said: `If you try to study, you will be far away from it.' Joshu asked: `If I do not study, how can I know it is the path?' Nansen said: `The path does not belong to the perception world, neither does it belong to the nonperception world. Cognition is a delusion and noncognition is senseless. If you want to reach the true path beyond doubt, place yourself in the same freedom as sky. You name it neither good nor not-good.' At these words ... Read Full Story

Gutei raised his finger whenever he was asked a question about Zen. A boy attendant began to imitate him in this way. When anyone asked the boy what his master had preached about, the boy would raise his finger. Gutei heard about the boy's mischief. He seized him and cut off his finger. The boy cried and ran away. Gutei called and stopped him. When the boy turned his head to Gutei, Gutei raised up his own finger. In that instant the boy was enlightened. When Gutei was about to pass from this world he gathered his monks around him. `I attained my finger-Zen,' ... Read Full Story

When Buddha was in Grdhrakuta mountain he turned a flower in his fingers and held in before his listeners. Every one was silent. Only Maha-Kashapa smiled at this revelation, although he tried to control the lines of his face. Buddha said: `I have the eye of the true teaching, the heart of Nirvana, the true aspect of non-form, and the ineffable stride of Dharma. It is not expressed by words, but especially transmitted beyond teaching. This teaching I have given to Maha-Kashapa.' Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

A monk asked Nansen: `Is there a teaching no master ever preached before?' Nansen said: `Yes, there is.' `What is it?' asked the monk. Nansen replied: `It is not mind, it is not Buddha, it is not things.' Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story