One day, the master and his disciples sat in silent meditation in the monastery. Suddenly, a loud clatter rang through the halls as the cook's assistant tripped and dropped a number of empty pans he was bringing to the kitchen. The disciples were all...

The master passed by a minister preaching against materialism. He was exhorting the congregation on the virtues of sacrificing their earthly desires for the rewards of heaven. "Our treasure does not lie here on earth," he said, "But it lies in the...

The master lived in a dictatorial country where the political leaders were corrupt and the military was abusive. Every morning, the master would go out of his house and head to the nearby field where there was a large tree. He would sit under the...

There was a master called Sakito. He was also called Stonehead – partly because of his smoothly shaven head, and partly because he loved to sit in meditation on a large rock on the side of a mountain. One day, a disciple came to Ma Tsu, another...

he master wanted to have a special suit made for his daughter's wedding. He went to the village tailor, who measured him up and said, "If God wills it, we'll have your suit ready in one week." The master was glad to hear this as the wedding was still...