Welcome to Zen parables with IKTA.
The essence of Zen is to help an individual move from the noisy,
Chattering state of mind to the state of silence,
To the state of no mind.
When I narrate this parable to you,
It will evoke in you certain thoughts.
Always remind yourself,
These are just thoughts.
They are not my thoughts.
These are just thoughts.
Let them pass by like strangers on a street.
Do not love them,
Do not hate them,
Do not get entangled with them.
The essence of Zen is not in identifying with a thought.
The essence of Zen is about getting to the awareness that lies behind the thought.
Today's parable is I don't know.
There was an emperor who followed the Buddha's path.
He invited a Zen master to his palace because he wanted to ask him certain spiritual questions.
The Zen master willingly came to meet him.
The emperor asked the question,
What is the highest truth of the holy Buddhist doctrine?
What is the highest truth of the holy Buddhist doctrine?
Then the master replied,
Vast emptiness,
Vast emptiness,
Vast emptiness and not a trace of holiness,
Not a trace of holiness.
The emperor was surprised and said,
If there is no holiness,
Then who or what are you?
The master replied,
I do not know.
I do not know.
I do not know.
