A Presentation of 2 ZEN stories with important Dhamma lessons for reflection. The texts are in English. Download the Powerpoint ppt for some animation effects. For the Video with audio narration and explanation in Hokkien, please check out the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wsecSw_snA

1. 1

2. 2
A revered Zen Monk once approached the king’s palace late at night. The
guards did not stop him as he made his way inside to where the king was
near his throne. The king recognized him too.

3. 3
Welcome
Reverend!
What do you
want?
I wish to sleep
in this Hotel
tonight,
Your Majesty.

4. 4
This is no
Hotel!
It is MY
Palace!
If I may ask,
who owned
this palace
before you?
Taken aback, the angry king barked.
Calm and composed, the
monk asked politely.

5. 5
Why, my
father of
course! He is
dead now.
And who lived
here in this
big Palace
before your
father?
The King, getting annoyed replied.
The monk then asked in a
gentle voice.

6. 6
My
grandfather,
naturally. He’s
dead too.
This building where
people live for
some time and go
away, did you say
that it is not a Hotel?
The King very impatiently said in a rough voice.
The monk as calm as
ever told the King.
The King, upon hearing the wise words of the
monk, so calm, composed and peaceful, paid
respect to the monk and asked him to teach
the Dhamma to him.

7. 7
Reflections
* We are ALL here for just a short time, and then move on.
Reflecting on this, shouldn’t we realize a sense of urgency to
lead a righteous life before it is too late ? Doesn’t it make
sense to develop our virtues and cut our defilements of greed,
hatred and delusion in this very short life of ours ?
* Our true wealth does not lie in our material possessions or
in the people we love or attach to. We live and die and never
really own anything. How many people today think about this
deeply ? Too many people entrench themselves in their
wealth, physical possessions, status, fame and power.

8. 8
A fierce samurai warrior once approached a wise Zen meditation
monk. The old monk, with his eyes closed and sitting with legs
crossed over was very calm, composed and peaceful.
The samurai roared in a thunderous voice.
You old monk!
Is there really a
Hell and a
Heaven?
Teach me!

9. 9
The monk gradually opened his eyes and a little smile started to
form around the corners of his mouth. He remained silent for a
few moments. The samurai stood there, growing more and more
impatient and agitated with each passing second.
At last the old monk spoke.
You want to know the
secrets of Hell and
Heaven? You, a
vulgar and unkempt
samurai, you with a
face so detestable,
you with hair so
horrible, you with a
voice so harsh, a
breath so foul…you
want to know if Hell
and Heaven exist?”

10. 10
The samurai was getting more and more angry at the words from the
old monk. He drew his sharp sword and raised it up. His face had
turned crimson-black, his eyes burning with fury and his neck veins
bloated out as he prepared to chop off the old monk’s head.
He shouted at the monk and uttered a vile curse.
You foolish
old monk.
Your abusive
words have
angered me.
I am going to
chop off
your head!

11. 11
The old monk was not the least perturbed at the vile words of the
samurai and his threat to chop off his head. He remained as calm
and composed as ever. His Equanimity was incredible!
The samurai was in a terrible rage. Anger and hatred filled his mind.
As the samurai’s sword was raised high above the monk’s head,
the monk looked up at the samurai and uttered the words so gently
and calmly:
My dear
Samurai
Friend!
That is Hell!
Fire of
ANGER

12. 12
In that small fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with
amazement and awe. Compassion and love arose in him for this
kind and gentle being who dared to risk his life to teach him
wisdom. He stopped his sword in mid-air and tears of gratitude
welled in his eyes.
His heart was filled with metta, joy and peace.
At this moment the old monk spoke to him with such gentle kindness.
Thoughts
and feelings
of calm, joy,
happiness &
peace.
And My Dear
Friend,
That is Heaven.
The samurai threw away his sword, knelt down and paid respect to the old
monk. He asked the old monk to teach him the Dhamma.

13. 13
reflections
* The untrained and uncultivated mind
experiences hellish mental states right
here on Earth.
* One creates one’s own heaven and hell
in one’s life … through one’s mind states.
* A mind of Wisdom, seeing things as
they really are, attains serenity,
happiness, peace and bliss.

14. 14
From the dhammapada
Mind precedes all
mental states. Mind is
their chief; they are all
mind-wrought. If with an
impure mind a person
speaks or acts suffering
follows him like the
wheel that follows the
foot of the ox
Dhammapada Verse 1
All conditioned things
are impermanent—when
one sees this with
wisdom, one turns away
from suffering.
This is the path to
purification.
Dhammapada Verse 277
The End
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin