Zen stories-The Teacher

Zen teacher had a lot of disciples.One of them had the habit of stealing.Even when the teacher knew it,he never made a point at him.Instead always kept on teaching generally why stealing was bad.This gave the student a fillip that he wont be punished for what he is doing and hence could continue stealing.The other students always complained about him and wanted him out of the school.
The first time they complained and the teacher didnt take any action,they kept quiet for not wanting to go against the teacher.
They complained second time.Yet there was no action from the teacher.
This kept going on.One day all the students discussed and told the teacher,"Sir,we are going to leave the school if no action is taken on the thief student."
The thief student who had overheard students' discussions,stood in a corner near the teacher's room and wanted to know what would happen thereafter.
Teacher said,"It is your choice.Even if all of you decide to leave the school,i wont suspend him."
Students asked unanimously,"What is so special about him?"
Teacher said,"See children,you are all wise.He is not.Since you are wise,you know all the good things.Since he is not,he is not aware of it and hasn't realized that stealing is bad.If wise children like you decide to get education in other schools,you will be welcomed with open arms.But if i suspend him on the basis of simple thing as bad habit of stealing instead of rectifying it,his life will be ruined forever.He wont be given chance in any other school.Instead of suspending him,I am trying to make him realize that what he is doing is bad things.That is my duty as a teacher."
The theif student started crying as soon as he heard this.He ran to the teacher and asked for forgiveness.Thereafter he vowed never to steal again and became a good student.

ME,You and US

He falls in love with her and expresses it.
She tells him,"Go and do penance for an year and then come to me.I will test how much love you have and will tell you."
He goes to a forest and meditates for an year.He returns and knocks the door of her home.
She asks,"Who is it?"
He says,"ME."
She snaps back,"Go away.There is no place for ME or YOU in love.Do penance for another year and then come to me.I will test how much love you have and will accept you later."
He goes to a forest and meditates for an year.He had realization that for accepting his love he should become hers entirely.He returns and knocks the door of her home.
She asks,"Who is it?"
He says,"YOU."
She snaps back,"Go away.There is no place for ME or YOU in love.Do penance for another year and then come to me.I will test how much love you have and will accept you later."
He goes to a forest and meditates for another year.He had realized the true meaning of love.He returns and knocks the door of her home.
She asks,"Who is it?"
He says,"US."
She opens the door.

This is an unusual story just giving a simple message that love among two people is not about 'you' or 'me',its about 'us'..But the creativity in explaining it is inspiring.

The suitable 'Job'

A man came to share his worries to a sufi saint.
He cried,"No job! living is difficult'
The saint asked,"Do you have leather at home?"
Man said,"Yes"
The saint asked,"Do you have a needle at home?"
Man said,"Yes"
The saint asked,"Do you have threads at home?"
Man replied,"Yes"
The saint said,"Then you can atleast sew chappals and sell it to make money.isnt it? Why are you wasting time?
Man replied,"I have been brought up in a fairly respected family.How can i do that? I need a well respected job."
The saint said,"If that is how you think,then you should be living happily however your life is.Because your 'status thinking' wont feed you.If you feel ashamed to do a menial job even when its a question of survival,then live happily in the way you have chosen your life."

This is a simple story but it has great lesson for youth.We simply want this or that job based on this or that qualification.When we are jobless,instead of doing things which gives us scope to be fruitful,we think about status and all.We wont even make efforts to change it yet we keep complaining.If we are not ready to be humble when in dire need,then we need to accept the pathetic choices of ours to be fruitless.

The precious conscience

She was a very poor woman living alone in that hilly area.She found a precious stone once in the stream.She took it and kept it in her bag always not knowing what to do with it.One day a traveller was on the same way.He was tired and hungry.The man narrated all his story about his poor conditions.So the woman gave him food from her bag.He saw the stone in her bag when she had opened it and asked her,"Why are you roaming with a precious stone instead of selling it for some money to get rid of your poor conditions?.Atleast give that to me if you dont want it.
She gave it without any second thoughts.He said,"You fool! if this was sold,there will be a lot of money for life and you gave it to me just like that,huh!"
The woman just smiled at him and kept quiet.After few days he came back to the same place in search of her.She was sitting by the same stream.
When he saw her he said,"I was sure you would be here.I came to give this precious stone back."
She smiled and asked him,"What happened? Didnt you get the expected kind of money on selling it? I dont have anything else to give you."
He said,"This stone is precious.But i am here to ask something more precious than this.You gave away the precious stone with so much generosity.You could have kept that to yourselves when you came to know it could get you rich.Yet you let me have it. I want to have that precious,clear and kind conscience you have.Can you teach me how to have it?"

A poor state in terms of materials is better than a poor state of conscience.isnt it folks?

Change of destiny

Even when he was losing the war,even after losing most of his soldiers the general of the army had the will to win.Few soldiers that were left had lost confidence and were sure about the loose.The army general tried a lot to instill confidence in them but in vain.The last day of the war,they gathered for a prayer before the start of the battle.
After the prayer,the general took out a coin from his pocket and said,"I will toss this coin.If it is 'head',we will win the war.Else we'll loose"
He tossed the coin and the soldiers looked down eagerly what might be the result.There was a 'head'.Soldiers suddenly had a spurt of confidence.They fought with all their might and bravery later that day and won the war.
After the war was over,a soldier came to the general and claimed,"Sir! nobody can change the destiny.It was in our destiny to win"
The general smiled and said,"Yes."
He continued,"..But i want you all to see this."
He took out the coin from his pocket and showed it to them.The coin had two heads!