The Gates of Paradise
A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked: "Is there really a paradise and a hell?" "Who are you?" inquired Hakuin. "I am a samurai," the warrior replied. "You, a soldier!" exclaimed Hakuin. "What kind of ruler would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar." Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued: "So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much too dull to cut off my head." As Nobushige drew his sword Hakuin remarked: "Here open the gates of hell!" At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed. "Here open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin. ******* Excerpt from 'Zen Flesh, Zen Bones' by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki ◙ Artwork: Utagawa Kunisada ******* Un soldado, de nombre Nobushigé, acudió a Hakuín y le preguntó: -¿Existe realmente un paraíso y un