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…
-
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
The forgetful genius
Albert Einstein’s name is synonymous with ‘genius.’ We know he was a simple soul but it is hard to believe that the propounder of the most complex Theory of Relativity and quantum…
-
A special teacher
Years ago, a Johns Hopkins professor gave a group of graduate students this assignment: Go to the slums. Take 200 boys between the ages of 12 and 16 and investigate their background…
-
You are wonderful
It happened several years ago in the Paris Opera House. A famous singer had been contracted to sing, and ticket sales were booming. In fact, the night of the concert found the…
-
Doing what we can do
Not many of us are multi-talented. I cannot do all that many things well and most things I cannot do at all. But we all have our gifts. As talented as the…
-
Leaving great legacies
Edwin Hubbel Chapin once said, “Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.” That is the definition of a legacy. Wouldn’t you love to do something…
-
How would you like to be remembered?
About a hundred years ago, a man looked at the morning newspaper and to his surprise and horror, read his own name in the obituary column. The newspapers had reported the death…