Ep. 11

Beloved acharya, the monk zuigan used to start every day by saying out loud to himself, "master, are you there?" and he would answer, "yes sir, I am." then he would say, "better sober up." and he would reply, "yes sir, i'll do that." then he would say, "look out now, don't let them fool you." and he would answer, "oh no sir, I won't, I won't.". 

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 10

Beloved acharya, buddha was to give a special talk one day, and thousands of followers had come from miles around.

When buddha appeared, he was holding a flower. Time passed, but buddha said nothing. He just looked at the flower. The crowd grew restless, but mahakashyap, who could restrain himself no longer, laughed.

Buddha beckoned him over, handed him the flower, and said to the crowd, "i have the eye of the true teaching. All that can be given with words I have given to you; but with this flower, I give to mahakashyap the key to this teaching."

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 9

Beloved acharya, nansen found two groups of monks squabbling over the ownership of a cat.

Nansen went to the kitchen and brought back a chopper. He picked up the cat and said to the monks, "if any of you can say a good word, you can save the cat." not a word was said, so nansen cut the cat in two and gave half to each group.

When joshu returned that evening, nansen told him what had happened. Joshu said nothing. He just put his sandals on his head and walked out.

Nansen said, "if you had been there, you could have saved the cat."

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 8

Beloved acharya, the zen master mu-nan had only one successor. His name was shoju.

After shoju had completed his study of zen, mu-nan called him into his room and said, "i am getting old, and as far as I know you are the only one who will carry on this teaching. Here is a book. It has been passed down from master to master for seven generations, and I have also added many points according to my understanding. This book is very precious, and I am giving it to you to represent your successorship." shoju replied, "please keep the book. I received your zen without writing, and I was very happy with it, thank you." mu-nan replied, "i know that, but this great work has been carried from master to master for seven generations, and it will be a symbol of your learning. Here, take the book." the two were talking in front of a fire, and the instant shoju felt the book in his hands he thrust it into the flames.

Mu-nan, who had never in his life been angry before, shouted, "what are you doing?" and shoju shouted back, "and what are you saying?"

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 7

Beloved acharya, the japanese master ekido was a severe teacher and his pupils feared him.

One day, as one of his pupils was striking the time of day on the temple gong, he missed a beat because he was watching a beautiful girl who was passing the gates.

Unknown to the pupil, ekido was standing behind him. Ekido struck the pupil with his staff, and the shock stopped the heart of the pupil, and he died.

Because the old custom of the pupil signing his life over to the master had sunk to a mere formality, ekido was discredited by the general public.

But after this incident, ekido produced ten enlightened successors, an unusually high number.

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 6

Beloved acharya, bankei was preaching quietly to his followers one day when his talking was interrupted by a priest from another sect. This sect believed in the power of miracles, and thought that salvation came from repeating holy words.

Bankei stopped talking, and asked the priest what he wanted to say.

The priest boasted that the founder of his religion could stand on one bank of the river with a brush in his hand and write a holy name on a piece of paper held by an assistant on the opposite bank of the river. The priest asked, "what miracles can you do?" bankei replied,"only one. When I am hungry I eat, and when I am thirsty I drink."

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 5

Beloved master, hyakujo called his monks together as he wished to send one of them to open a new monastery. Placing a filled water jar on the ground, he said, "who can say what this is without using its name?" the chief monk, who expected to get the position, said, "no one can call it a wooden shoe." another monk said, "it's not a pond because it can be carried." the cooking monk, who was standing nearby, walked out, kicked the jar over, and then walked away.

Hyakujo smiled and said, "the cooking monk becomes the master of the new monastery."

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 4

Beloved acharya, joshu, the zen master, asked a new monk in the monastery, "have I seen you before?" the new monk replied, "no sir." joshu said, "then have a cup of tea." joshu then turned to another monk, "have I seen you here before? The second monk said, "yes sir, of course you have." joshu said, "then have a cup of tea." later the managing monk of the monastery asked joshu, "how is it you make the same offer of tea to any reply?" at this joshu shouted, "manager, are you still here?" the manager replied, "of course, master." joshu said, "then have a cup of tea.

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 3

Beloved acharya, a warrior came to the zen master hakuin and asked "is there such a thing as heaven and hell?" hakuin said "who are you?" the warrior replied "i am chief samurai to the emperor." hakuin said "you, a samurai? With a face like that, you look more like a beggar." at this the warrior became so angry he drew his sword. Standing calmly in front of him, hakuin said "here open the gates of hell." perceiving the master's composure, the soldier sheathed his sword and bowed.

Hakuin then said "and here open the gates of heaven."

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."

Ep. 2

Beloved acharya, the student doko came to the master and said, "in what state of mind should I seek the truth?", the master replied, " there is no mind, so you cannot put it in any state, and there is no truth, so you cannot seek it." doko said, "if there is no mind and no truth, why do all these students gather before you every day to study?" the master looked around and said, "i don't see anyone." the inquirer asked, "then who are you teaching?" "i have no tongue, so how can I teach?", replied the master. Then doko said sadly, "i cannot follow you; I cannot understand." the master said, "i don't understand myself."

Season 4

Using traditional Zen stories and responding to seekers' questions, Acharya shows how man must first be grounded in himself before he can fly into the sky of consciousness. Acharya takes the reader from subjects as diverse as food, jealousy, businessmen and enlightenment, to how to know if one needs a master, the barriers we create through fear, and gratitude.

"Be rooted in the earth so that you can stretch to the sky; be rooted in the visible so that you can reach into the invisible. Don't create duality and don't create any antagonism. If I am against anything, I am against antagonism. I am against being against anything; I am for the whole, the complete circle. The world and God are not divided anywhere. There is no boundary: the world goes on spreading into God and God goes on spreading into the world. Really, to use two words is not good but language creates problems. We say the creator and the created, we divide. Language is dualistic; in reality there is no created and no creator, only creativity, only a process of infinite creativity. Nothing is divided. Everything is one -- undivided."