Zen Koans

14. Muddy Road

14. Muddy Road

Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.

Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.

"Come on, girl" said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.

Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. "We monks don't go near females," he told Tanzan, "especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?"

"I left the girl there," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying her?"

New Releases Classic Ninja Titles Invisible Fist Stealth and Invisibility Dim Mak CIA Instant Self-Defense Ninja Alchemy Ninja Magic Ninja Weapons Dragon Lady of the Ninja Other Ninja Schools Black Dragon Page Grandmaster Lawrence Day Shihan Ernie Reynolds Soke Michael Robinson Shihan Jeremy Schmidt Master of Komuso Ryu DOJO Training Manuals Ultimate Fighting MMA Grappling Skills Legend of the Guru Martial History E-Books American Homeguard Homeguard II Homeguard III Strategy and Tactics Unique Publications 21st Century Martial Arts Bruce Lee Kung Fu Karate Reiki Yoga Self-Help Bodhi Sanders Aikido Kenjutsu Privacy Anonymous Authors Humor and Novelty Survival Conspiracy Unexplained Paladin Press Loompanics Desert Publications Military Manuals Circus of Dr. Lao Movies Classic Ninja Videos NINJA Training Videos DOJO Training Videos Invincible Kung Fu Black Belt Training Videos Good Health and Longevity Unique Videos Backyard Black Belt Grandmasters Video Qi TV Series Nei Gong and Shen Self-Defense Basics Healing and Massage Dowsing Series 21st Century Qi Gong Therapy