tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13526843535492502582012-02-07T03:57:49.103-08:00Melissa Keithnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352684353549250258.post-856493428806934502012-02-07T03:57:00.001-08:002012-02-07T03:57:49.243-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Gates of Paradise<br />A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked: "Is there really a paradise and a hell?"<br />"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.<br />"I am a samurai," the warrior replied.<br />"You, a soldier!" exclaimed Hakuin. "What kind of ruler would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar."<br />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."<br />As Nobushige drew his sword Hakuin remarked: "Here open the gates of hell!"<br />At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed.<br />"Here open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1352684353549250258-85649342880693450?l=sonotzen.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Melissa Keithnoreply@blogger.com0