Once a woman had a strange dream. She dreamt that a new, big, beautiful store had opened in the main square of her town. She entered to look around at the goods offered. To her amazement, she saw God standing behind the counter, waiting for customers. “You!?” the woman croaked. “How come You, Lord God, … Read more
Once Buddha came to a lecture holding a flower in his hand. He remained silent for a long time until someone dared to ask him why he was silent. Buddha smiled and said: “This flower I hold in my hand speaks more than I could ever tell you, more than can be expressed in words. … Read more
The great sage Uddalaka Aruni had a son named Svetaketu. One day, the son returned home from school. His father realized that the knowledge from school was insufficient for teaching the most important lesson because the teachers lacked the inspiration and experience to lead the students to the realization of the ultimate truth. In order … Read more
“Good man,” said a young disciple to Abbot Pastor, “my heart is filled with love for the world, and my soul is pure from the temptations of the evil one. What is my next step?” The abbot asked the disciple to accompany him to visit a sick person in need of final anointing. After consoling … Read more
During a break at a round table discussion on the topic of religion and peace among nations, Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff asked the Dalai Lama: “Your Holiness, which is the best religion?” The theologian expected an answer like “Tibetan Buddhism” or “Eastern religions, much older than Christianity,” but after a short pause, the Dalai Lama … Read more
Ryokan, a Zen master, lived very modestly in a small hut at the foot of a hill. One evening, a thief entered the hut and discovered that there was nothing to steal. Ryokan returned and found him there. “Perhaps you have travelled a long way to visit me,” he said to the thief, “and you … Read more
A renowned warrior came to Hakuin and asked him: Master, tell me: do Heaven and Hell truly exist? Instead of answering, Hakuin asked him: Who are you? I am an officer of the personal guard of His Majesty the Emperor. Nonsense! retorted Hakuin. What kind of emperor would keep such a wretch like you by … Read more
This is the story of a boy who would sneak into the woods every day for a few moments. His father started to worry. What could the boy be doing in the woods every single day? One day, the father asked the boy: “Why do you spend so much time in those woods?” And the … Read more
A student came to the teacher and said: “O blessed one, you are pure and incarnated compassion. Help me to rid myself of worldly concerns and their goals and reasons – I am tired of it, and disappointed. I thirst for spiritual knowledge! I am eager to be free from all illusions and delusions that … Read more
Once upon a time, there lived a man in Đambunada and as his wedding approached, he thought: If only the blessed Buddha would come to the celebration. And lo and behold, the Blessed One passed by his house, looked at him, and upon reading the groom’s desire in his heart, agreed to enter. When the … Read more
