In the eighth episode of ‘The Zen Series’, we learn an important lesson based on the story – ‘The Gates of Paradise’. A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked, “Is there really a paradise and a hell?” “Who are you?” inquired Hakuin. “I am a samurai,” the warrior replied. “You, a soldier!” exclaimed […]
Our lives are interconnected by an intricate web of emotions. But the one thread that binds all together is that of love, compassion, faith and most importantly, hope. Humankind has never lost hope – be there earthquakes, famines, financial or personal setbacks – we pick up the pieces and keep going, with the conviction that […]
In the seventh episode of ‘The Zen Series’, we learn an important lesson based on the story about ‘The Girl At The River’. A senior monk and his junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they […]
This time, ‘The Zen Series’ shares the story about the how we can see the world in a drop of water by extending our consciousness onto things… A Zen Master asked a young student to bring him a pail of water to cool his bath. The student brought the water, and after cooling the bath, […]
In this fifth part of ‘The Zen Series’, the short story about ‘Chasing Two Rabbits’ leaves much food for thought! A martial arts student approached his teacher with a question. “I’d like to improve my knowledge of the martial arts. In addition to learning from you, I’d like to study with another teacher in order […]
The fourth part of ‘The Zen Series’ shares the short story about the man on the horse… “A horse suddenly came galloping quickly down the road. It seemed as though the man had somewhere important to go. Another man, who was standing alongside the road, shouted, “Where are you going?” and the man on the […]
. We are so used to success that it often assumes paramount importance in our lives. Some amongst us have been fortunate and blessed with a relatively easy life. However, a comfortable life sometimes makes it harder to understand others’ predicaments. In addition, in many cases, a false sense of security and arrogance tends to […]
Caught up in this whirlwind called life, we wake up to do what we ‘have to’, rather than what we ‘want to’. The strain of careers, relationships, finances, raising a family… the list is unending. We acquire much, but at what price? Is there something we have lost along the way? Compassion, perhaps? So many […]