A taste of Paradise

A soldier named Nobushige came to the Zen
master Hakuin, and asked:

"Is there really a paradise and a hell?"
"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.
"I am a samurai," the warrior replied.
"You, a soldier!" exclaimed Hakuin. What kind of ruler
would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that
of a beggar."

Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw
his sword, but Hakuin continued:

"So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much
too dull to cut off my head."

As Nobushige drew his sword Hakuin remarked:
"Here open the gates of hell!"

At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's
discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed.
"Here open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin.

- Zen flesh, Zen bones, Zen and Pre-Zen Writings, av Paul Reps


Jag har förövrigt ätit nudlar idag.