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Zen Stories
Without Fear
During the civil wars in feudal Japan, an invading army
would quickly sweep into a town and take control. In one particular
village, everyone fled just before the army arrived - everyone
except the Zen master. Curious about this old fellow, the general
went to the temple to see for himself what kind of man this master
was. When he wasn't treated with the deference and submissiveness to
which he was accustomed, the general burst into anger. "You
fool," he shouted as he reached for his sword, "don't you
realize you are standing before a man who could run you through
without blinking an eye!" But despite the threat, the master
seemed unmoved. "And do you realize," the master replied
calmly, "that you are standing before a man who can be run
through without blinking an eye?"
(other versions of this story then describe how the general,
surprised and awed by the master, sheepishly leaves)
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