Happy Happy Kozan

Gee I wonder who else might be birthday bound around here???

Continuing my collection of 12 century (much in demand) quotes ,sayings and stories of Zen teachers
This is a continuation of our friend Shi Zu. After struggling with his koan for 5 years, he visited his teacher Master Ko Zan who resided in his perfectly designed ,and constructed minimalistic meditation hut,complete with the first attempt of ferrule cement roof.

Shi Zu when he saw the hut wondered if there was a place where he could sit, Master Ko Zan did not seem to care. However without hesitation Shi Zu shouted out 'How do the Buddhas and patriarchs,myriad worlds and all sentient beings fit inside your hut'

Master Ko Zan for some reason was in celebratory mood,and would have liked a quiet day on his own with a little food and drink,he was not so happy but as a Master he had certain responsibilities.

In an annoyed way he bellowed back at Shi Zu the word 'ZU'. The word Zu is early Chinese of course for mu. hearing the reply Shi Zu immediately entered Samadhi it was a deep Samadhi that he would not leave for 4 or 5 years.

At peace and seeing his chance Master Ko Zan pulled from his sleeve an organic apple pie sent by a devotee from the other side of the world. He was unsure if the black crust was a type of preservative as found on 100 day old eggs or if it was something more sinister. Unperturbed Master Ko Zan offered the pie to all sentient beings wished himself a happy birthday and sank his teeth into the heart of the black matter.

Sadly the Master was not seen again,but he did make sure it was the best birthday he had ever had

Happy Birthday Kozan !

You sure don`t look your age......must be doing something right.
What is the secret of eternal life O Master ??
Hope you have a great day.

Stan.

There are lots of people on these forums that I wish I could be like but, Kozan, I'd most like to learn the tricks you have of never being perturbed, always being friendly, always making sense and always being on everyone's side. That last one boggles me.

HBD.

(esp. with him being a Scorpio)

Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful day - happy birthday, Steve!

Chisan,

Joy of our joys, Ko Zan has been seen again. He is here in all his wisdom.

Kozan, my very best wishes for a happy day and a happy forever.

~mokuan

Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts! My grandmother firmly believed that everyone should celebrate their birthday for a full week. I decided to test my grandmother's advice this year--by celebrating for two weeks. I recommend the two week option. ;-)

Howard--thank you so much for posting your good wishes! That wiley CMH managed, for a second year, to post your birthday greetings ahead of me. It may have something to do with the fact that he is 8 hours ahead of both of us. I am scheming for next year!

Chisan--I have it on good authority that Ko Zan's reply to Shi Zu's inquiry about "How do the Buddhas and patriarchs, myriad worlds, and all sentient beings fit inside your hut?"--Was that--"the entire universe--the infinite ground of empty awareness itself--cannot fill or exhaust the space within my tiny hut!"

I also have it on good authority that the mysterious black crust was actually a residual impression resulting from a fortuitous collision between the afore mentioned donated apple pie, and another donation--the ultimate chocolate brownies--made and sent by his (OK, actually my) sister.

Biting down, Ko Zan instantly disappeared on a two-week quest for more chocolate apple pie!

Stan, thank you! My profile photo is 4 or 5 years old. So relatively up to date. What might I be doing right? I think that it is just that I have the good fortune to be able to live my purpose in life. And that doing so is, quite simply, blissfull!

glorfindel, I am honored by your thoughts. I suspect that you already know how to be on everyone's side. In my experience, it comes down to choosing to do so, because the challenge of figuring out how to do so, is just too much fun to ignore!

By the way (as I'm sure you know), today (November 11th, 2012) would be Kurt Vonnegut's 90th birthday.

Lise, thank you so much for your good wishes!!! This 'scorpio' thing has been a mystery to me, for my entire life, as well! ;-)!

Mokuan, my grateful thanks for your very kind good wishes. And, in turn, I wish you a 'happy forever' as well, my dear friend!

Well i'm confused , i thought it was november and Howard's birthday, and now it seems its October and happy greetings for Kozan , i had to reread and double check today is today - yes i had to THINK ! Still thinking ... but , certainly happy week after week to you Kozan .

Nicky, thank you so much!

Your confusion is all my fault!! In the two weeks since my birthday, I have been celebrating by doing what I love most: becoming fully absorbed in my meditation-design-writing practice/project. A delightful two weeks had gone by before I noticed!

Happy birthday, Kozan -- I hope I'm within the two-week celebration period!

Thank you Carol!

You are always within the two week celebration period! (As is everyone ;-)

I have to admit to being well and truely thwarted by Mokuan first who saw you again and your good self Kozan for a new ending. I had planned the apple pie caused a rather nasty ( and slow) ending 900 years ago but there you go I got it wrong again and you sure have good friends, cherish them,hope the celebrations are still going on