The Gates of Paradise

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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 infierno?
-¿Tú quién eres? -Indagó Hakuín.
-Un samurái -respondió el otro.
-¿Tú, un guerrero? -exclamó Hakuín.
-¿Qué clase de señor te admitiría en su guardia? Tienes facha de mendigo.
Nobushigé se encolerizó tanto que echó mano a la espada, pero Hakuín continuó:
-¡Con que tienes un arma! Esa espada probablemente es demasiado roma hasta para cortarme la cabeza.
Y, cuando ya Nobushigé desenvainaba, Hakuin observó:
-Aquí se abren las puertas del infierno.
A estas palabras, el samurái, notando la disciplina del maestro, envainó la espada y le hizo reverencia.
-Aquí se abren las puertas del paraíso -dijo Hakuín.

 *******
Extraído de "Carne Zen, Huesos Zen". Historias Zen compiladas por Nyogen Senzaki y Paul Reps.
◙ Artwork: Katsushika Hokusai

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