The Zen Master Ikkyū Sōjun (Japanese: 一休宗純, Ikkyū Sōjun) Even as a young student, Ikkyū was known for his sharp mind. His teacher owned a precious tea bowl, a rare and valuable antique. One day, Ikkyū broke the bowl. Hearing footsteps, he was startledand hid the broken pieces behind his back. His teacher entered the room. Ikkyū asked, “Master, why must people die?” The teacher replied calmly, “It is natural.Everything must dieand lives only as long as it is meant to.” Then I

The Chan disciple Yamaoka Tesshū (Japanese: 山岡鉄舟, Yamaoka Tesshū) wandered from master to master, in search of true insight. Finally, he appeared before Dokuon (Japanese: 独園承珠, Dokuon Jōshu) at Shōkoku Temple. To demonstrate his insight, Tesshū said: "Mind, Buddha, and all beings ultimately do not exist. The true nature of all phenomena is emptiness. There is no realization, no delusion, no wisdom, no means. There is no giving and nothing that is received." Dokuon sat silentl

One day, Siddhartha was walking through a village on the edge of the forest. The people had heard about him and came to meet him. They brought food offerings—rice, fruit, vegetables, and bread. Among them was a man who meant well, but did not know the customs of the Sangha. He brought meat as an offering. A woman whispered to him: “Siddhartha's community lives without meat.” The man was startled and wanted to understand for himself. Hesitantly, he approached Siddhartha and sa