Zen story: The Zen master who got caught out as being a pretender

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The great Zen master, and renowned scholar, Ripocke Zetusjo was dying. 

The physicians said that he had but weeks to live.

He went to another Zen master, who had a temple nearby, and he asked him what did he think about this prognosis about himself.

He went to another Zen master, who had a temple nearby, and he asked him what did he think about this prognosis about himself

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The Zen master said,

"You actually died years ago. Your Zen has never been the true Zen, and so now you are afraid, because of this, of dying."

The old master, shocked at this statement, snapped back at this impudent youngster, years younger than himself.

"You will die before I do."

And sure enough, this younger Zen master was killed by a stampeding herd of pigs, just a few days later.

One Zen master could see truth for what it was; the other was a trickster who could only see the future when angered.

On one grave, was written the epitah. "He got angry, now, and Zen."

On the other grave was written, "The truth hurts if you tell it to a pig."

Anyone who knows how to get angry, does not know how not to get angry. He is attached to his anger.

Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com


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⏰ Last updated: Sep 11, 2020 ⏰

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