The Christian Buddha

A Christian Monk visited a Zen Master at The University of Tokyo. When the Monk asked the Master if he had ever read the Christian Bible, the Master replied, "No," but continued, "Please read it to me." The Monk opened the Bible to the 'Sermon on the Mount' in St. Matthew, and began reading:

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; and yet, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like these..."

After reading Christ's words, he paused. The Master was silent for a long time... and finally said, "Whoever uttered these words is an enlightened being," with esteem, he concluded, "What you have read to me is the essence of everything I have been trying to teach you here!"

Psalm 82

God presides over heaven's court;
   he pronounces judgement on the judges:
"How long will you judges hand down
       unjust decisions?
   How long will you shower special favors
       on the wicked?
Give fair judgement to the poor and the
       orphan;
   uphold the rights of the oppressed and
       destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless;
   deliver them from the grasp of evil
       people.
But these oppressors know nothing;
   they are so ignorant!
And because they are in darkness,
   the whole world is shaken to the core.
I say, 'You are gods
   and children of the Most High.
But in death you are mere men.
   You will fall as any prince,
   for all must die.'"
Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,
   for all nations belong to you.

What Is Zen?

TRY if you wish. But Zen comes of itself. True Zen shows in everyday living, CONSCIOUSNESS in action. More than any limited awareness, it opens every inner door to our infinite nature. 
Instantly mind frees. How it frees! False Zen wracks brains as a fiction concocted by priests and salesmen to peddle their own wares. 
Look at it this way, inside out and outside in: CONSCIOUSNESS everywhere, inclusive, through you. Then you can't help living humbly, in wonder. 

"What is Zen?" 

One answer: Inayat Khan tells a Hindu story of a fish who went to a queen fish and asked: 
"I have always heard about the sea, but what is this sea? Where is it?" 
The queen fish explained: "You live, move, and have your being in the sea. The sea is within you and without you, and you are made of the sea, and you will end in the sea. The sea surrounds you as your own being." 

Another answer:

when i "read" the second answer i literally threw the book down on the ground in total disbelief. i've known about the "answer of no-answer" for a long time, but until you actually see it in action you can't understand it. i was in total shock, all i could say for 5 minutes straight was "o my god, o my god, o my god..." it blew my mind.

The state induced by reading this was very similar, if not identical, to the state depicted in the movie Constantine when she says, "I've always known. I've always known where they are. I've always known where to - where to find them, where to - where to aim and where to duck, and I've always known where they were. I've always known that it wasn't luck. Always known that it wasn't luck. I've always known, I've always known that I could see."

A Cup of Tea

A Japenese master received a university professor, who came to inquire about Zen. The master served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on going. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," said the master, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How could I teach you anything?"

Learning How To Be Silent

Four pupils of Zen promised to observe seven days of silent meditation. On the first day all was quiet, but as night came the oil lamps were growing dim. One of the pupils could not keep himself from exclaiming to a servant: "Fix those lamps." The second pupil was surprised to hear the first one talk. "We are not supposed to say a word," he remarked. "You two are stupid. Why did you talk?" asked the third. "I am the only one who has not talked," concluded the fourth pupil.

No Attachment to Dust

Zengetsu, a Chinese master of the T'ang dynasty, wrote the following advice for his pupils:

Living in the world yet not forming attachments to the dust of the world is the way of a true Zen student. When witnessing the good action of another encourage yourself to follow his example. Hearing of the mistaken action of another, advise yourself not to emulate it. Even though alone in a dark room, be as if you were facing a noble guest. Express your feelings, but become no more expressive than your true nature. Poverty is your treasure. Never exchange it for an easy life. A person may appear a fool and yet not be one. He may only be guarding his wisdom carefully. Virtues are the fruit of self-discipline and do not drop from heaven of themselves as does rain or snow. Modesty is the foundation of all virtues. Let your neighbors discover you before you make yourself known to them. A noble heart never forces itself forward. Its words are as rare gems, seldom displayed and of great value. To a sincere student, every day is a fortunate day. Time passes but he never lags behind. Neither glory nor shame can move him. Censure yourself, never another. Do not discuss right and wrong. Some things, though right, were considered wrong for generations. Since the value of righteousness may be recognized after centuries, there is no need to crave an immediate appreciation. Live with cause and leave results to the great law of the universe.
Pass each day in peaceful contemplation.

Kalama Sutta

The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they discovered in what they heard. The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply.

–Do not believe anything on mere hearsay. –Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places. –Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it. –Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage. –Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being. –Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true. –Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests. –But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it. The same must be applied to his own teachings.