Zen parable

[Jeroen]

A big, though samurai once went to see a little monk. “Monk” he barked, in a voice accustomed to instant obedience, “teach me about heaven and hell!”.

The monk looked up at the mighty warrior and replied with utter disdain, “teach you about heaven and Hell? I couldn’t teach you anything. You’re dumb. You’re dirty. You’re a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can’t stand you!”

The samurai got furious. He shook, red in the face, speechless with rage. He pulled out his sword, and prepared to slay the monk.

Looking straight into the samurai’s eyes, the monksaid softly, “that’s hell.”
The samurai froze, realizing the compassion of the monk who had risked his life to show him hell! He put down his sword and fell to his knees, filled with gratitude.

The monk said softly, “and that’s heaven”

[Erica]

Dear Jeroen,

Thank you for sharing this!

Interestingly, I just read this same parable not long ago in a book called No Ordinary Moments, by Dan Millman.

I appreciate you taking the time to write that on this forum. Please don't hesitate to add some more nice parables/stories/etc that you come across. I would be happy to read them! If you're interested, I think you might also like the book I mentioned.

Have a beautiful day,
Erica

[Kingmonkey]

here's one I love;

Who knows

An old farmer has been cultivating his land for years. One day his horse ran away. As the neighbours heard this, they came and said: „What a misfortune!” – Who knows? “The farmer replied.

The next day the horse was back- and with it three wild horses. “How lucky you are!” the neighbours shouted. "Who knows?" the farmer replied.

The next day the farmers son wanted to tame the wild horses, got thrown of and broke his leg. Again the neighbours appeared to show their mercy. “Who knows” the farmer replied.

The day after some recruiting soldiers came to town to force all young men to join the army. . As they saw the farmer’s son had a broken leg, they let him go. The neighbours congratulated the farmer for how good everything has become.

"Who knows” the farmer said.