Tenno achieved the rank of Zen teacher after 10 years of apprenticeship. He visited the famous Master Nan-in, who greeted him with a question about whether he left his shoes and umbrella on the porch and, if so, whether the umbrella was left to the left or right of the shoes. Tenno did not know the answer, realizing he lacked full awareness, so he studied under Nan-in for another 10 years to improve his mindfulness and attention to detail. The document encourages cultivating mindfulness through meditation practice, noting how lack of mindfulness can lead to problems while mindfulness brings calmness, joy and wisdom.

1. Story To
Reflect Upon
Full Awareness
After ten years of apprenticeship, Tenno achieved the rank
of Zen teacher. One rainy day, he went to visit the famous
Master Nan-in. When he walked in, the master greeted him
with a question, "Did you leave your wooden clogs and
umbrella on the porch?"
"Yes," Tenno replied.
"Tell me," the Master continued, "did you place your
umbrella to the left of your shoes, or to the right?"
Tenno did not know the answer, and realized that he had
not yet attained full awareness.
So he became Nan-in's apprentice and studied under him
for ten more years.
Reflection
* Most of us lack attention, awareness and
mindfulness of the physical and mental
phenomena within us and in the external world.
Such a heedless mind becomes weak and is more
likely to make careless mistakes and
poor judgement.
* Problems, conflicts, trouble and disharmony
often arise out of a lack of mindfulness ... we
disrupt the peace, balance and harmony of our
environment through acts of mindlessness; we
create conflicts within ourselves and with others
through unmindfulness.
* It is imperative that we train the mind to be more
aware, alert and mindful. Practise mindfulness
meditation. Mindfulness leads to calmness, joy,
peace, equanimity, happiness, wisdom and
freedom. It is the Path to Deathlessness.

2. Story To
Two Reflect Upon
Words 36
There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow
of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one
exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to
speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the
monastery, one monk went to
the head monk.
"It has been ten years," said the head monk. "What are the two
words you would like to speak?"
"Bed... hard..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk's office. "It
has been ten more years," said the head monk. "What are the two
words you would like to speak?"
"Food... stinks..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the
head monk who asked,
"What are your two words now, after these ten years?"
"I... quit!" said the monk.
"Well, I can see why," replied the head monk. "All you ever do is
complain."
Points For Reflection
* Is it our habit to complain, complain and complain ? There are times when
we have to make the best of the circumstances or situation we are in . Learn to
count our blessings and the good things that we have. Remember that in
Samsara, nothing is perfect.
* Patience, tolerance and forbearance are great virtues to develop. Without
these, we often give up on many things that we start upon to do … Dhamma
study, outreach work (Dana), meditation and so on.
* There is a saying : “There’s no gain without pain!” The Path of Dhamma
Practice and cultivation is a struggle …it entails much effort, discipline,
sacrifice and commitment. Remember Siddharta Gautama struggled for 6 long
years before Enlightenment ….and he was a Bodhisattva with good paramis !
Reflecting on this, we know that we, defiled worldlings have even to struggle
more !