Zen Story

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Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road

 

Gudo was the emperor's teacher of his time. Nevertheless, he used to

travel alone as a wandering mendicant. Once when he was on his way to Edo,

the cultural and political center of

the shogunate, he approached a little village named Takenaka. It was evening

and a heavy rain was falling. Gudo was thoroughly wet. His straw sandals

were in pieces. At a farmhouse near the village he noticed four or five

pairs of sandals in the window and decided to buy some dry ones.

 

The woman who offered him the sandals, seeing how wet he was, invited

him in to remain for the night in her home. Gudo accepted, thanking her. He

entered and recited a sutra before

the family shrine. He was then introduced to thewomen's mother, and to her

children. Observing that the entire family was depressed, Gudo asked what

was wrong.

 

" My husband is a gambler and a drunkard, " the housewife told him.

" When he happens to win he drinks and becomes abusive. When he loses he

borrows money from others. Sometimes when he becomes thoroughly drunk he

does not come home at all. What can I do? "

 

" I will help him, " said Gudo. " Here is some money. Get me a gallon of

fine wine and something good to eat. Then you may retire. I will meditate

before the shrine. "

 

When the man of the house returned about midnight, quite drunk, he

bellowed: " Hey, wife, I am home. Have you something for me to eat? "

 

" I have something for you, " said Gudo. " I happened to be caught in the

rain and your wife kindly asked me to remain here for the night. In return I

have bought some wine and fish, soyou might as well have them. "

 

The man was delighted. He drank the wine at once and laid himself down

on the floor. Gudo sat in meditation beside him.

 

In the morning when the husband awoke he had forgotten about the

previous night. " Who are you? Where do you come from? " he asked Gudo, who

was still meditating.

 

I am Gudo of Kyoto and I am going on to Edo, " replied the Zen master.

 

The man was utterly ashamed. He apologized profusely to the teacher of

his emperor.

 

Gudo smiled. " Everything in this life is impermanent, " he explained.

" Life is very brief. If you keep on gambling and drinking, you will have no

time left to accomplish anything else, and you will cause your family to

suffer too. " The perception of the husband awoke as if from a dream. " You

are right, " he declared. " How can I ever repay you for this wonderful

teaching! Let me see you off and carry your things a little way. "

 

" If you wish, " assented Gudo.

 

The two started out. After they had gone three miles Gudo told him to

return. " Just another five miles, " he begged Gudo. They continued on.

 

" You may return now, " suggested Gudo.

 

" After anothe ten miles, " the man replied.

 

" Return now, " said Gudo, when the ten miles had been passed.

 

" I am going to follow you all the rest of my life, " declared the man.

Modern Zen teachings in Japan spring from the lineage of a famous master who

was the successor of Gudo. His name

was Mu-nan, the man who never turned back.