Inspiration Stories

It All Seems So Obvious
by Paulo CoelhoRabbi Ben Zoma was asked: "Who is wise?"
"He who always finds something to learn from others,"
said the Rabbi."Who is strong?"
"The man who is capable of dominating himself,"
responded the Rabbi."Who is wealthy?"
"He who knows the treasure he has:
his days and hours of life,
which can change everything which goes on around him.""Who deserves respect?"
"He who respects himself and his neighbor.""These things are all so obvious," commented one of those present.

The Rabbi concluded by saying:
"That is why they are so difficult to observe."

Inspiration Stories

Heaven and Hell
by Paulo Coelho

A violent samurai who was known for picking fights for no reason at all arrived at the door of a Zen monastery and asked to speak to the master. Without a moment's hesitation, Ryokan came out to meet him."They say that intelligence is more powerful than strength," said the samurai. "I wonder if you could explain to me the meaning of heaven and hell." Riokan remained silent."You see" roared the samurai."I could explain that very easily: to show what hell is, all I need to do is beat someone up. To show what heaven is, just let a person go free after menacing him a lot.""I don't argue with stupid people like you," said the Zen master. This made the samurai's blood boil. His mind was filled with hatred. "Now, that is hell," said Ryokan, smiling."Letting yourself be angered by silly things."
The monk's courage disconcerted the warrior, and he relaxed."And that is heaven," added Ryokan, inviting him in.
"Not reacting to silly provocations."

Inspiration stories

One day, in ancient India, the Buddha was giving a teaching to his followers.
On this day however, instead of a verbal teaching,
he simply held up a flower.

One of his disciples, Mahakasyapa, smiled.

The Buddha said: "Today, I gave a silent teaching and Mahakasyapa alone understood it."This was the birth of Zen.

Since that time, the Buddha's message has been transmitted from person to person right up to today's modern Zen masters.

Inspiration stories

“ A student asked master Bankei
“ How can I cure my terrible temper?”
“Show it to me,” demanded Bankei,“ I can’t just show it to you like that
because it comes on unexpectedly.”
Explained the student.

Bankei replied
“It is not your true nature, then.
If it were it would be with you at all time.”

From: The Wisdom of the Zen Masters

Inspiration Stories

Two Raindrops by Joseph Morris

Two little raindrops were born in a shower,

And one was so pompously proud of his power,

He got in his head an extravagant notion,

He'd hustle right off and swallow the ocean.A blade of grass that grew by the brook
Called for a drink, but no notice he took
Of such trifling things.
He must hurry to be
Not a mere raindrop, but the whole sea.

A stranded ship needed water to float,
But he could not bother to help a boat.
He leaped in the sea with a puff and a blare--
And nobody even knew he was there!

But the other drop as along it went
Found the work to do for which it was sent:
It refreshed the lily that drooped its head,
And bathed the grass that was almost dead.

It got under the ships and helped them along,
And all the while sang a cheerful song.
It worked every step of the way it went,
Bringing joy to others, to itself content.

At last it came to its journey's end,
And welcomed the sea as an old-time friend.
"An ocean," it said, "there could not be
Except for the millions of drops like me."