August 16, 2003

Story #5

from the book i plan to read tonight as i lay here alone.

If You Love, Love Openly

Twenty monks and one nun, who was named Eshun, were practicing meditation with a certain Zen master.

Eshun was very pretty even though her head was shaved and her dress plain. Several monks secretly fell in love with her. One of them wrote her a love letter, insisting upon a private meeting.

Eshun did not reply. The following day the master gave a lecture to the group, and when it was over, Eshun arose. Addressing the one who had written her, she said: "If you really love me so much, come and embrace me now."

clearly i haven't reached enlightenment. i'm still wondering who wrote the note and if he rose up. guess i'll have to wait for the movie. bonus points to anyone that can tell me what book this comes from.

Posted by ac at August 16, 2003 06:54 PM

Comments

Zen Flesh, Zen Bones? Or, from the original 101 Zen Stories or The Gateless Gate (which are IN Zen Flesh, Zen Bones)?

Posted by: Jann at August 20, 2003 11:45 PM

ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. Zen Flesh, Zen Bones is the correct answer. Now did you know or did you google?

Posted by: ac at August 21, 2003 12:35 PM

I knew. I have a copy next to my bed. It stays there with "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz and "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey. Some books lead us so gently.

Oh, and John Grisham's "King of Torts" is there too.

Posted by: Jann at August 21, 2003 05:40 PM

I'm impressed! You're up on "Quixote" and "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones". Have interest in Tannu-Tuva too?

Posted by: ac at August 21, 2003 07:12 PM