The Zen master Hakuin was praised by his neighbours as one living a pure life. A beautiful Japanese girl whose parents owned a food store lived near him. Suddenly, without any warning, her parents discovered she was with child. This made her parents very angry. She would not confess who the man was, but after much harassment at last named Hakuin.
In great anger the parents went to the master. “Is that so?” was all he would say. After the child was born it was brought to Hakuin. By this time he had lost his reputation, which did not trouble him, but he took very good care of the child. He obtained milk from his neighbours and everything else the little one needed.
A year later the girl-mother could stand it no longer. She told her parents the truth – that the real father of the child was a young man who worked in the fish market. The mother and father of the girl at once went to Hakuin to ask his forgiveness, to apologize at length, and to get the child back again. Hakuin was willing. In yielding the child, all he said was: “Is that so?”
My Thoughts:
People have their own ideas, their own truth, regardless of where they come from. Other people are influenced by other people, who in turn influence us and our lives. These ideas, they believe is “the” truth and they forget the tremendous influence they can have over other people’s lives. Sometimes “they” lie to distort the truth in order to protect or elevate their self, their ego. Depending on where their ideas come from, it can mean joy or pain for the rest of us. Depending on their motives, it can mean an excess of emotions, happiness, sadness, anger, worry, fear, for the rest of us. Such is the influence of others over us, if we let it happen.
But their truth is not necessarily our truth. Sometimes we forget that the truth is the most powerful internal strength we have, it is our character, Hakuin knew the truth of, his character, of this situation and did not allow others accusations to disturb that truth, to disturb his mind. Maybe he knew that eventually the “truth will out”, and even if it did not, he was comfortable with his actions, his behaviour, his self. That is the great strength in knowing the truth of oneself. We can lead a contented and productive life because we know we are doing “good”.
Of course we live in a world of people, sometimes chaotic, sometimes pleasant, sometimes painful, that is why it is so important to realise the nature of things, the nature of people and all their strengths and weaknesses, this knowledge is so freeing, it means that Hakuin did not trouble himself with the accusations of others because he “knew” the truth. He knew himself and that was all he needed to know!
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy” ~ Lao Tzu
“Contentment consist not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire” ~ Thomas Fuller
The master of Kennin temple was Mokurai, Silent Thunder. He had a little protégé named Toyo who was only twelve years old. Toyo saw the older disciples visit the master’s room each morning and evening to receive instruction in sanzen or personal guidance in which they were given koans to stop mind-wandering.
The Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty was a national hero for his success as both a statesman and military leader. But despite his fame, power, and wealth, he considered himself a humble and devout Zen Buddhist. Often he visited his favourite Zen master to study under him, and they seemed to get along very well. The fact that he was prime minister apparently had no effect on their relationship, which seemed to be simply one of a revered master and respectful student.
A young couple are walking along a lovely tree lined street, in a beautiful area of town with attractive houses, and as they walk hand in hand, they feel a sense of calm and peace. they feel very comfortable walking in this area.
“How can I be thankful for the pain in my back”, my patient asked after seeing my little poster on Gratitude in my office. I was concentrating on her treatment but I stated to give her my view of gratitude! I could see I was getting nowhere as her sever pain had clouded her acceptance of any new ways of thinking about, what was now consuming her daily life. In an instant this changed, as she was leaving my office, she met an MS patient in his wheelchair, being bottle fed by his carer. When she looked at me, I knew in that instant, she realised what my words could not express. Gratitude is so rare in our fast paced and chaotic noise filled world.
When one goes to Obaku temple in Kyoto he sees carved over the gate the words “The First Principle.” The letters are unusually large, and those who appreciate calligraphy always admire them as being a masterpiece. They were drawn by Kosen two hundred years ago.
Sometimes it’s very difficult to understand how a particular opinion has been accepted by so many. In psychology it’s called trends and traits. When we realize that we are adhering to a negative particular view point or trend, we feel uncomfortable yet we give in to it.
A university student while visiting Gasan asked him: “Have you ever read the Christian Bible?”
Zen students are with their masters at least ten years before they presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him Nan-in remarked: “I suppose you left your wodden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or left side of the clogs.”
I have always treasured silence, meditating, walking along a country path, sitting on a beach. Its a powerful means of disengaging, disconnecting, detaching from the many sources that deflect, sidetrack or absorb our vital energy, such as problems, worry, people pleasing, fear and overloading our minds with stuff that we should have said no to!