Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

There’s a famous story in China about a Zen master who was famous for his meditation and a Shaolin martial artist who was famous for his martial arts. One day the Shaolin master challenged the Zen master, as he believed his skill was much better than that of the Zen master. The Zen master chose a narrow ledge at the edge of a high mountain; one wrong step and the person would fall to their death. Because they were both unskilled in archery they decided it would be fair if they challenged themselves in this way. The Shaolin master went first, he stood at the edge of the mountain but when he placed the arrow into the bow he couldn’t stop himself from looking down and he became scared at the thought of plunging to his death. This fear meant that he failed to hit the target. The Zen master took the bow and arrow, stood at the edge of the mountain, and hit the target perfectly. The Shaolin master was amazed and asked him what his secret was so that he could improve his skill. The Zen master...

ZEN story "THE DOOR OF PARADISE" A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin and asked him: "Are there heaven and hell?" "Who are you?", Haquin asked. "I am a samurai!", replied the warrior. "You, soldier !?", exclaimed Hakuin. "Which ruler would want you as a guardian? Your face is like a beggar's." Nobushige was so enraged that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued, "Well, you have a sword too!? Your weapon is probably too dull to cut my head off." When Nobushige drew his sword, Hakuin remarked, "This is where the gates of hell open!" At these words, the samurai, understanding the teacher's lesson, put his sword back in its scabbard and bowed. "This is where the gates of heaven open", Haquin said.