Action speaks louder than words

Zen koans offer insight that prompts reflection about your own thoughts and behaviour. This classic is shared from http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/zenindex.html

In modern times, a great deal of nonsense is talked about masters and disciples, and about the inheritance of a master's teaching by favorite pupils, entitling them to pass the truth on to their adherents. Of course Zen is impartedfrom heart to heart, and in the past it was really accomplished. Silence and humility reigned rather than profession and assertion.He who received such a teaching kept the matter hidden, even after twenty years. Not until another discovered through his own need that a real master was at hand was it learned hat the teaching had been imparted. Even then, the occasion arose quite naturally. Teaching made its way in its own right. Under no circumstances dida teacher even claim "I am the successor of So-and-so." Such a claim would prove quite the contrary.

The Zen master Mu-nan had only one successor. His name was Shoju. After Shoju had completed his study of Zen, Mu-nan called him into his room. "I am getting old," he said, "and as far as I know, Shoju, you are the only one who will carry on this teaching. Here is a book. It has been passed down from master to master for seven generations. I also have added many points according to my understanding. The book is very valuable, and I am giving it to you to represent your successorship."

"If the book is such an important thing, you had better keep it," Shoju replied. "I received your Zen without writing and am satisfied with it as it is."

"I know that," said Mu-nan. "Even so, this work has been carried from master to master for seven generations, so you may keep it as a symbol of having received the teaching. Here."

The two happened to be talking before a brazier. The instant Shoju felt the book in his hands he thrust it into the flaming coals. He had no lust for possessions.

Mu-nan, who never had been angry before, yelled: "What are you doing!"

Shoju shouted back: "What are you saying!"

What is your impression of this tale? What insight do you extract from it? How do you relate in your life right now?

Where to meet after death

Dogo paid a visit to his sick fellow monk, Ungan.

"Where can I see you again if you die and leave only your corpse?" Dogo asked. "I will meet you where nothing dies," Ungan replied. Dogo criticized his response saying,

"What you should have said is that there is no place where nothing is born and nothing dies and that we need not see each other at all."

This Zen koan is taken from the book Zen Koans by Venerable Gyomay Kubose copyright © 1973; published by Henry Regnery Company. In that text also lie possible answers to the various koans.