Every Minute Zen

Zen students are with their masters a least ten years before they presume to teach others.

Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him Nan-in remarked: …

“I suppose you left your wooden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if you r umbrellas i on the right or left side of the clogs.”

Tenno, confused, had no instant answer. He realized that he was unable to carry his Zen every minute. He became Nan-in’s pupil and he studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen.