True mindfulness means recognising the infinite value in what appears to be worthless. When a young student mindlessly throws away a small leftover splash of bathwater, Zen master Gisan delivers a simple…
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Welcome to Wellsprings
Think of this as a peaceful, non-commercial corner of the web where you can step away from the noise of the digital age. Here, we lovingly bring together an expansive repository of heartwarming anecdotes, epic historical chronicles, and cross-cultural reflections spanning philosophy, science, history and the arts. From ancient parables to modern milestones of human achievement, each piece is meant to uplift your spirit, spark meaningful contemplation, and foster a comforting sense of shared humanity. We are glad you are here. Step inside, explore our archives at your own pace, and enjoy the journey!
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Fuketsu’s silence and words
True reality cannot be captured by speech or forced silence, but only by experiencing life directly as it is. See how Zen master Fuketsu’s vivid, poetic image of spring in Southern China…
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Publishing the Sutras
Living compassion means recognising when human needs must take priority over religious rituals. This classic Zen story follows Master Tetsugen on a gruelling, decades-long mission to achieve a monumental spiritual dream. Read…
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No work, no food
Hyakujo, the Chinese Zen master, used to labour with his pupils even at the age of eighty, trimming the gardens, cleaning the grounds and pruning the trees. The pupils felt sorry to…
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Muddy Road
Two monks, Tanzan and Ekido, were once traveling together down a muddy road. It was raining heavily in those parts. Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk…
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Mokusen’s hand
Mokusen Hiki was living in a temple in the province of Tamba. One of his adherents complained of the stinginess of his wife. Mokusen visited the adherent’s wife and showed her his…
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How grass and trees become enlightened
During the Kamakura period, Shinkan studied Tendai six years and then studied Zen for seven years; then he went to China and contemplated Zen for thirteen years more. When he returned to…
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Happy Chinaman
Anyone walking about Chinatowns in America will observe statues of a stout fellow carrying a linen sack. Chinese merchants call him Happy Chinaman or Laughing Buddha. This Hotei lived during the T’ang…
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Naivedyam: Does God eat our offerings?
Here is a very good explanation about Naivedyam offered to God. Does God eat our offerings? Many of us could not get a proper explanation from our elders. An attempt is made…
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We connect differently to a personal God
Sri Rama was the maryada-purushottama, the ideal man. The purpose of his avatara was to teach us how to live. On the same day, three other mahapurushas, his brothers, were born. Their…
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The right teaching
Once, there was a renowned monk who lived in a beautiful monastery with many of his pupils. His teachings were known to be very effective and many of his students grew up…
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The woodcutter and his axe
This is a classic tale of honesty passed on from generation to generation. I didn’t want to miss it at any cost. Long ago, there lived a woodcutter in a small village.…