The Sound Of One Hand

By Staff

Friday, November 14, 2008, 16:11

A pupil from the southern island of Japan approached Suiwo seeking his guidance. Suiwo was a disciple of Hakuin and an excellent teacher.

Suiwo presented a lesson to the puplil to master it "Hear the sound of one hand." The pupil was unsuccessful even after staying for three years. With tears brimming his eyes, he came to his master and said " I should now return to the south ashamed and embarrassed as I could not solve the problem presented to me".

"Wait for a week and meditate constantly" said Suiwo, but in vain, the pupil still could not succeed. "Meditate for another week" said Suiwo. The disciple still could not be enlightened. The student begged Suiwo to let him go. But the master wouldn't budge. He asked him to still meditate for five more days. But of no avail.

He then said " Meditate for three days longer, and if you are still not enlightened, you had better kill yourself".

The pupil became enlightened on the second day.