Tosui was the Zen master who left the formalism of temples to live
under a bridge with beggars. When he was getting very old, a friend helped
him earn his living without begging. He showed Tosui how to collect rice
and manufacture vinegar from it, and Tosui did this until he passed away.
While Tosui was making vinegar, one of the beggars gave him a picture
of the Buddha. Tosui hung it on the wall of his hut and put a sign beside
it. The sign read:
"Mr. Amida Buddha: This little room is quite narrow. I can let you
remain as a transient. But don't think I am asking you to help me to be
reborn in your paradise."
