The Paths to Heaven and Hell

The Paths to Heaven and Hell 

A soldier named Nobushige, clad in tattered gear and sporting weaponry worse for wear, brazenly forced his way to see Hakuin, and finding him reposed in contemplation with an ancient book loudly and intrusively demanded: "Is there really a paradise and a hell?"

"Who are you?" Without looking up, Hakuin voiced his inquiry. 

"I am a samurai," the warrior sticking his chest out proudly, responded.

"You, a samurai!" Hakuin half looking up grunted. "What kind of ruler would have you as his guard?” Hakuin shook his head. “You resemble more a beggar." 

Once a proud warrior, Nobushige was highly incensed and so started to draw his sword, but Hakuin impassively simply added: "So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much too dull to cut off my head."

The outraged Nobushige now brandishing his sword, poised to strike Hakuin. 

Still composed, Hakuin simply remarked: "Here open the gates of hell!"

At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed, somewhat ashamed.

"Here open the gates of paradise," Hakuin uttered, with a calm voice and an almost imperceptible smile. 

Fin

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The Gates of Paradise

Once upon a time a mighty warrior Nobushige visited a temple where famed Zen master Hakuin resided. Having been received by him, Nobushige perfunctorily bowed than promptly took up a seat across from the worthy master. As he was not one to mince with words, he cleared his throat and immediately voiced his pressing inquiry: “Tell me master, is there really a paradise and hell?” 

“Who are you?”  Hakuin looking directly at him, inquired.

“I am a samurai,” The warrior bit miffed, loudly ejected.

“You, a samurai?” Hakuin now scoffed. “What kind of a ruler would have you as his guard? Your demeanor resembles more that of a common, street beggar.”

Proud Nobushige was so incensed, scowling he began to unsheathe his sword, but Hakuin shaking his head calmly added, “I see you have a fine sword!  Still,” the master shrugged, “the blade is probably far too dull to sever my head.”

“I’ll show you how dull it is!” infuriated Nobushige at once rose his hand and was about to unleash his renowned deadly strike, when Hakuin, not in the least bit perturbed, loudly remarked: “Here, open the gates of hell!”

The Samurai, at once perceiving the master’s discipline, recoiled and after bowing respectfully to the master contritely sheathed his sword.

“Here open the gates of Paradise.” Hakuin, sporting a warm smile, now said.

Zen Story