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The First Principle
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Fri Dec 15 2000 at 10:18:39
This is from "
Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
", a wonderful collection of
zen
mantras
and stories:
When one goes to
Obaku
temple in
Kyoto
he sees carved ovver the gate the words "
The First Principle
." The letters are unusually large, and those who appreciate
calligraphy
always admire them as being a
masterpiece
. They were drawn by Kosen two hundred years ago.
When the master drew them he did so on paper, from which workmen made the larger
carving
in wood. As Kosen sketched the letters a bold pupil was with him who had made several gallons of ink for the calligraphy and who never failed to criticize his master's work.
"That is not good," he told Kosen after the first effort.
"How is that one?"
"Poor. Worse than before," pronounced the pupil.
Kosen patiently wrote one sheet after another until eighty-four First Principles had accumulated, still without the approval of the pupil.
Then when the young man stepped outside for a few moments, Kosen thought: "Now is my chance to escape his keen eye," and he wrote hurriedly with a mind
free from distraction
: "The First Principle."
"A masterpiece," pronounced the pupil.
printable version
chaos
Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
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♥
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