On a recent walk with a good friend, I experienced a feeling of being completely overwhelmed and at the same time completely calmed. This feeling went on for hours as we descended an area of Kyoto called Arashiyama- which literally translates to ‘Stormy Mountains’. These mountains were as alive as I have ever seen them. These are just a few images from that day.
Rain or shine, to enjoy or not enjoy, good or bad. Thinking of these topics I was reminded of a short story concerning the Zen master Hakuin and a prominent samurai.
It is a Zen koan known as “The Gates of Paradise”. This is that story as an excerpt from “Zen Koans” by the Honarable Gyomay Kubose:
Nobushige, a soldier, came to Hakuin, a famous Zen Master, and asked,
"Is there really a paradise and a hell?"
"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.
"I am a samurai," Nobushige replied.
"You, a samurai!" exclaimed Hakuin.
"What kind of a lord would have you as his guard? You look like a beggar!"
Nobushige became so enraged that he began to draw his sword.
Hakuin continued, "So you have a sword. It is probably too dull to even cut off my head."
Nobushige brandished his weapon.
Hakuin remarked, "Here, open the gates of hell."
At these words the perceptive samurai sheathed his sword and bowed.
"Here, open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin.
Commentary: Heaven and Hell are the contents of our every day life.