ZEN story
“THE DOOR OF PARADISE”
A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin and asked him:
“Are there heaven and hell?”
“Who are you?”, Haquin asked.
“I am a samurai!”, replied the warrior.
“You, soldier !?”, exclaimed Hakuin. “Which ruler would want you as a guardian? Your face is like a beggar’s.”
Nobushige was so enraged that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued, “Well, you have a sword too!? Your weapon is probably too dull to cut my head off.”
When Nobushige drew his sword, Hakuin remarked, “This is where the gates of hell open!”
At these words, the samurai, understanding the teacher’s lesson, put his sword back in its scabbard and bowed.
“This is where the gates of heaven open”, Haquin said.