Not Far from Buddhahood

Gasan Joseki (1275-1366) was a Japanese Zen master.  Once, one of his students went to the city of Edo, and when he returned, came to see Gasan.  The student brought a book with him.  “What is it?” asked Gasan.  The student replied, “It is the Christian Bible.  Have you ever read it?”

“No, read it to me,” said Gasan.

The student opened the Bible and read from St. Matthew: “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  … Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”

Gasan said: “Whoever uttered those words I consider an enlightened man.”

The student continued reading: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Gasan remarked: “That is excellent. Whoever said that is not far from Buddhahood.”

 

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