2023ZenStory29-30

29. No Water, No Moon

When the nun Chiyono studied Zen under Bukko of Engaku she was unable to attain the fruits of meditation for a long time.

At last one moonlit night she was carrying water in an old pail bound with bamboo. The bamboo broke and the bottom fell out of the pail, and at that moment Chiyono was set free!

In commemoration, she wrote a poem:

In this way and that I tried to save the old pail

Since the bamboo strip was weakening and about to break

Until at last the bottom fell out.

No more water in the pail!

No more moon in the water!

 

Here is the symbolism for pail, water, bamboo and the moon in the Zen story "No Water, No Moon":
Pail: The pail represents the ego, or the individual's sense of self. It is a container that holds water, which represents the individual's thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Water: The water represents the ever-changing nature of reality. It is constantly flowing and changing, just as our thoughts and feelings are constantly changing.
Bamboo: The bamboo represents the Zen teachings. It is a strong and flexible material that can withstand the elements, just as the Zen teachings can help us to withstand the challenges of life.
Moon: The moon represents enlightenment. It is a still and silent orb that reflects the light of the sun, just as enlightenment is a state of peace and clarity that reflects the true nature of reality.
In the story, Chiyono is trying to save the old pail, which represents her ego. She is struggling to hold on to her thoughts and feelings, which are constantly changing. However, when the bamboo breaks and the bottom falls out of the pail, Chiyono is set free. This represents her attainment of enlightenment, or the realization that the ego is an illusion.
The poem that Chiyono wrote in commemoration of her enlightenment reinforces this symbolism. The first line of the poem, "In this way and that I tried to save the old pail," refers to her attempts to hold on to her ego. The second line, "Since the bamboo strip was weakening and about to break," refers to the fact that her ego was becoming increasingly fragile. The third line, "Until at last the bottom fell out," represents her attainment of enlightenment. The final line, "No more water in the pail!", refers to the fact that she is no longer attached to her thoughts and feelings.
The Zen story "No Water, No Moon" is a reminder that the ego is an illusion. When we let go of our ego, we can experience true peace and freedom.
The Zen story "No Water, No Moon" is a reminder that the ego is an illusion. When we let go of our ego, we can experience true peace and freedom.

 
30. Calling Card
Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral in Kyoto. One day the governor of Kyoto called upon him for the first time.
His attendant presented the card of the governor, which read: Kitagaki, Governor of Kyoto.
"I have no business with such a fellow," said Keichu to his attendant. "Tell him to get out of here."
The attendant carried the card back with apologies. "That was my error," said the governor, and with a pencil he scratched out the words Governor of Kyoto. "Ask your teacher again."
"Oh, is that Kitagaki?" exclaimed the teacher when he saw the card. "I want to see that fellow.  End.

The story titled "Calling Card" is about Keichu, a renowned Zen teacher during the Meiji era in Japan. Keichu was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral in Kyoto. One day, the governor of Kyoto paid a visit to Keichu, seeking an audience with him.
The governor's attendant presented Keichu with the governor's calling card, which read: Kitagaki, Governor of Kyoto. However, upon seeing the card, Keichu expressed his disinterest in meeting with the governor and instructed his attendant to tell him to leave. Keichu seemed to have no interest in interacting with someone of the governor's stature.
The attendant, feeling apologetic, took the card back to the governor and explained the situation. The governor, understanding the misunderstanding, took a pencil and scratched out the words "Governor of Kyoto" from his card. He wanted to give Keichu another chance to reconsider.
When the revised card was presented to Keichu, he glanced at it and exclaimed, "Oh, is that Kitagaki?" The Zen teacher's perspective suddenly shifted, and he expressed his eagerness to meet with the governor. Keichu now wanted to interact with Kitagaki, regardless of his official position.
The message conveyed in this story is that titles and positions can create barriers between people. Keichu's initial dismissal of the governor was based solely on his position as the Governor of Kyoto. However, when the title was removed, Keichu saw the person behind the position and became genuinely interested in meeting him.
The story highlights the importance of seeing beyond superficial labels and titles and recognizing the inherent worth and value of each individual. It encourages us to approach others with an open mind and to connect on a deeper level, beyond societal roles and formalities. By doing so, we can foster genuine human connections and understanding.