The Lost Tales of Bodhidharma
PART I: In which the Zen Master needs to choose a successor.
A famous Zen Master was on his deathbed and needed to choose a successor from his hundreds of disciples. He requested that the ancient sacred text of the monastery’s teachings be brought before him. And he requested the presence of his three most senior disciples.
“I will die very soon,” he told them. “One of you will be my successor. To help me choose I will ask you this one question: If named my heir, what will you do with the ancient sacred text?”
The first disciple bowed before the Zen Master and the sacred text. “I will defend this holy book with all my might. I would give my life in defending it.”
The Master nodded.
The second disciple bowed. “I have spent my life memorizing every word in this book. I will continue to pass on the spiritual knowledge it contains to future generations.”
The Master nodded.
When it was his turn to speak, the third disciple walked out of the room. His name was Bodhidharma.
The other disciples could only watch in utter amazement. Surely the Master only had a few more minutes of life left in him!
When Bodhidharma returned, he asked the Master for the book. He pulled out the match from his pocket and lit the book on fire.
The first disciple filled with rage.
The second disciple began to cry.
The Master laughed and laughed. Then closed his eyes and died.
PART II: When the first disciple enters.
The Zen Master Bodhidharma was enjoying his solitude.
But news had traveled far that an enlightened Master was now living in the mountains outside of Kyoto.
Soon many seekers were making the journey to the mountains in hopes of being chosen as a disciple.
When the first seeker arrived, Bodhidharma greeted him at the gate with a smile.
“Great, holy Master,” the disciple said kneeling down and kissing the feet of Bodhidharma.
“Why are you here?” he inquired.
“So many things are wrong with me,” he said with tears beginning to well up. “I am here to fix those things with your guidance, Master.”
“Then you cannot stay. There is nothing to fix.” The man, wiping away his tears, went on his way.
The next day, the second seeker arrived. He knelt down and kissed the feet of Bodhidharma.
“Why are you here?” he inquired.
“To attain enlightenment, with your help great, wise one.”
“Then you cannot stay. There is nothing to attain.” The man, disappointed and confused, went on his way.
The next day, the third seeker arrived. She smiled at Bodhidharma.
“Why are you here?” he inquired.
“I have been traveling for many days. I would love to use your restroom and have a drink of water.”
Bodhidharma laughed and opened the gate. “Come on in.”
In walked the first disciple.
PART III: The day the old man visits.
An old man from a faraway village visited the monastery. He was greeted by Bodhidharma.
“Master, I have been searching for enlightenment my whole life and I have never attained it. I do not have much time left now. Please great, wise Master, tell me how is it that you found enlightenment?”
“I never found it. I just stopped looking for it.”
The old man paused. Then replied, “Thank you.” He grabbed his walking stick and began the long walk back towards his village.
Bodhidharma could hear him laughing for miles.
