Zen

The wind has settled,
the blossoms have fallen;

Birds sing,
the mountains grow dark -- This is the wondrous power
of Buddhism.

- Ryokan

Food for thought

by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

It is always the false that makes you suffer,the false desires and fears,
the false values and ideas,
the false relationships between people. Abandon the false and you are free of pain;
truth makes happy,
truth liberates.

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."

Food for thought

'Tis the good reader
that makes the good book;in every book he finds passages
which seem confidences
or asides hidden from all else
and unmistakenly meant for his ear; the profit of books is according
to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought
or passion sleeps as in a mine, until it is discovered
by an equal mind and heart.


~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Zen

The Great Way has no gate;
there are a thousand paths to it.

If you pass through the barrier,
you walk the universe alone.

- Wu-Men

Food for thought

In the End, we will remember
not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

- Martin Luther King Jr.