Enlightenment 360º

The First Principle

When one goes to Obaku temple in Kyoto Japan he sees carved over the gate the words “The First Principle.”

When the Zen Master Kosen drew them he did so on paper two hundred years ago, a bold pupil who had made several gallons of ink for the calligraphy and who never failed to criticize his master’s work.

“That is not good,” he told Kosen after the first effort.

“How is that one?”

“Poor. Worse than before,” pronounced the pupil.

Kosen patiently wrote one sheet after another until eighty-four First Principles had been accumulated, still without the approval of the pupil.

Then, when the young man stepped outside for a few moments,

Kosen thought: “Now is my chance to escape his keen eye,” and he wrote hurriedly ,

With A Mind Free from Distraction. “The First Principle.”

“A Masterpiece,” pronounced the pupil.

Enlightenment 360º is ….. A Masterpiece Outside and Master’s Peace Inside.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal