In the same boat
The parable of the unity of fate
Two people were out on the ocean in a boat.One of them began drilling in the bottom of...
Sharpen your saw! — Parable of the Method
A short story about the Necessity of Method
One man who was walking through a forest when he came across a frustrated lumberjack. A lumberjack...
Secret of Happiness
Paulo Coelho. Story from the AlchemistA merchant sent his son to learn the Secret of Happiness from the wisest of men.
The young man wandered...
Carry your cross. The parable of the uniqueness of fate
Be yourself!One day a crowd of people was walking along the road. Each carried his own cross on his shoulder.One person thought that his...
Who Am I? How to Find the True Self. Zen Proverbs
Who are you?
Keiji, a long-time Zen student, approached his master and said: “I don’t see how there can be any enlightenment that sets you...
Parable of Heaven and Hell
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said:"Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are...
Parable about Alexander the Great and Opportunity
Parable on Opportunity
One day Alexander the Great was going about town, just walking with his troops and roaming about the market. In one of...
Wonder of Wonders
A group of American school children were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders Of The World." Though there were...
Parable of Opportunities and Time
Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. Itcarries over no balance from day to day....
“Maybe” – Parable of Wisdom
Once upon the time there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing...
The secret of Art
Woodworker Qing carved a piece of wood and made a bell stand, and when it wasfinished, everyone who saw it marvelled, for it seemed to...
A Cup of Tea
Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a universityprofessor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s...