Dialogue for Lodging - A Zen Story

A traveling Zen monk can earn lodging at a temple if he is able to win an argument about Buddhism, but if he is defeated, he has to move on.

In a temple in the northern part of Japan two brothers monks were dwelling together. The elder one was learned, but the younger one was stupid and had but one eye.

A wandering monk came and asked for lodging properly challenging them to a debate about the sublime teaching. The elder brother, tired that day from much studying, told the younger one to take his place. '
Go and request the dialogue in silence,’ he cautioned.


The young monk and the stranger went to the shrine and sat down. Shortly afterwards the traveler rose and went in to the elder brother and said: 'Your young brother is a wonderful fellow. He defeated me.'

 'Relate the dialogue to me,' said the elder one.

'Well,' explained the traveler,' first I held up one finger, representing Buddha, the enlightened one. So he held up two fingers, signifying Buddha and his teaching. I held up three fingers representing Buddha, his teaching, and his followers living the harmonious life. Then he shook his clenched fist in my face, indicating that all three come from one realization. Thus he won and so I have no right to remain here.' With this, the traveler left.

'Where is that fellow?' asked the younger one, running in to his elder brother.

“I understand you won the debate.'

'Won nothing. I'm going to beat him up.'

‘Tell me the subject of the debate,' asked the elder one.

'Why, the minute he saw me he held up one finger, insulting me by insinuating that I have only one eye. Since he was a stranger, I thought I would be polite to him, so I held up two fingers congratulating him that he has two eyes. Then the impolite wretch held up three fingers, suggesting that between us we only have three eyes. So I got mad and started to punch him, but he ran out and that ended it.’

From Zen Flesh, Zen Bones

Chocolate Thoughts, Zen Thoughts!

Recently, I've allowed a love for chocolate to get out of control. Everyday, around 3 pm, I have one thought going through my head: CHOCOLATE. I then make a quick trip to the gas station to satisfy the craving and then spend the next hour wondering why I did it because I feel gross. I believe with anything you do in life, you should do it with a zen mind. My current out of control chocolate eating does not in any way exhibit a zen mind.

How to tame the desire? Is it necessary to tame the desire? How do you actually tame a desire? These are my first thoughts as I try to reconfigure a perception that is bringing me down. There has been some weight gain and other unhealthy foods justified because of my gateway drug which is chocolate. I feel like I could save a few bucks or put them to better use by not buying a treat everyday. I could list all the reasons why this eating obsession is causing me grief, but I'd rather share my resolution.

Observe the picture below:

Why do I like this? How come this brings me so much clarity? Can rocks and sand bring clarity? It does. This picture has overcome obstacles by gently flowing past them. It is clean and crisp bringing about thoughts of organization and focus. This is the result of a zen mind. This mind is what I will apply to my chocolate desires. Do I need to be extreme and eliminate all chocolate, sugars, sweets, or anything chocolate brown? No. I need to be more aware of the cause and effect and become more mindful of my body. I'll only have this body once during my tiny duration on our tiny pale blue dot in the middle of no where, so I'd better take care of it and be careful. 

I plan on becoming more strict about eating chocolate, other sweets, and junk food. I will need to eliminate the unnecessary and make better choices from my diet. I will incorporate knee friendly exercise back into my life and I will report back once I'm done. I owe it to myself as human being who appreciates life, a husband, zen practitioner and iaidoka for life. 

For now, I leave you with this zen thought by Suzuki Roshi:

“In fact, the truth of Zen is the truth of life, and life means to live, to move, to act; not merely to reflect.”