Martial Arts Parables

Here are a few parables I have come across in my years of training; stories I love and try to take to heart. I only wrote one of these, the others are from various sites. I couldn't find any version of the last story, so I had to write it as it was related to me.

The Big Samurai And The Little Monk

A tough samurai once went to see a monk.
"Monk!" He shouted at the temple,"Teach me about heaven and hell!"
The monk looked up at the mighty warrior and replied mockingly,
"Teach you about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you about anything. You're dumb. You're dirty. You're a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can't stand you."
The samurai got furious. He shook, red in the face, speechless with rage. He pulled out his sword, raised it above his head and prepared to slay the monk.
Looking straight into the samurai's eyes, the monk said quietly,
"That's hell."
The samurai froze, realizing the compassion of the monk who had risked his life to show him hell. He put down his sword and fell to his knees, filled with gratitude. The monk spoke softly,
"And that is heaven."
http://spiritual-minds.com/stories/zen.htm

 

The Master And His Three Sons

There was once a great master of kenjutsu (sword) renowned throughout Japan who, when visited by another great master, wished to demonstrate the teaching he had given his three sons.

The master winked at his guest and placed a heavy metal vase on the corner of the sliding doors, wedged it with a piece of bamboo and a small nail in such a way that the vase would fall on the head of the first one who came into the room when the door was opened.

While chatting and drinking tea, the master called his oldest son who came immediately. Before opening the door, he felt the presence of the vase and its position. He slid back the door, put his left hand through the gap to catch the vase and continued opening the door with his right hand. Then, clutching the vase to his chest, he entered the room, shutting the door behind him and replaced the vase; he came forward and greeted the two masters. 'This is my oldest son', said the host smiling, 'he has learnt my teaching well and one day he will undoubtedly be a master of kenjutsu.'

The second son was called and he entered without hesitating and only caught the vase at the last moment: it almost landed on his head. 'This is my second son', said the master, 'he still has a lot to learn but he is improving every day.'

Then the third son was called. Entering the room hurriedly, he was struck on the head by the vase. The blow was a heavy one but before the vase hit the tatami, he drew his sword and, in one quick action, cut the piece of metal in two. 'This is my youngest son, Jiro', said the old man, 'he is the baby of the family and he still has a long way to go.'
http://www.aikidoofashland.net/stories/master.htm

How Fast Can I Learn?

(This story is usually about Zen Buddhism, not Martial Arts, but I like this version more)

 

A martial arts student went to a teacher and declared he wanted to learn the system, that he was devoted and ready.

 

"How long would it take?" he asked, to which the teacher replied: “Ten years.”

 

The student, a bit impatient and unsatisfied with the answer said: But I want to master it faster than that, I will work every hard, practice ten or more hours a day if necessary. How long would it THEN take?

 

The teacher replied: “Twenty years.”

http://thoughtcatalog.com/claudia-azula-altucher/2013/04/8-zen-master-stories-that-illustrate-important-truths/

 

 

 

 

The Tea Master

Mistakenly bumped by him in a busy crowd, a samurai challenged an old man to a duel. This old man was actually a Tea Master who knew nothing of fighting, so he went to see Miyomoto Musashi who many had gone to for sword fighting lessons.

When he met Musashi, the Tea Master simply asked, “how do I die with honour?” Musashi was surprised, most people came to him to learn how to kill, “who are you?”, he asked.

“I am nobody”, he responded, “just a Tea Master”, said the man. “So, make me Tea”, replied Musashi.

The Tea Master, though only hours away from death made tea, and did it so single-mindedly that Musashi told him to leave because he could already die with honour.

Time for the duel arrived. The Samurai was already there and was frustrated, “so you finally decided to come, lets fight!” The Tea Master said nothing, but bowed. He placed his sword down and bowed again. Finally he lifted his sword above his head, and stayed there, unmoving.

Seeing his composure the Samurai began to shake. “Maybe I’ve chosen the wrong opponent,” he thought. As the sun reflected on the Tea Master's Sword he saw red. “Is that my blood?, am I already dead?” Finally the samarai dropped to the floor apologising, “I am so sorry Master, please forgive me”. The Tea Master said nothing, just collected up his belongings. The Samurai started running after him, “please take me as your student”, he begged. After much persistence the Tea Master agreed.

The Tea Master taught the samurai how to control his mind. The samurai knew how to fight but that was all.

http://www.changshapkido.net/the-tea-master/

 

 

One Who Trains For Battle

There were once two families that had been at war for years.

 

A son of this family trained everyday for hours. Day in and day out, week after week, month after month. Many years passed in this way as he prepared for that day he would fight- he became a master.

 

One day he was walking on the road in a forrest and came upon a member of the family that was his own's enemy. The two locked eyes and drew their swords. They stood this way for several minutes, in an even stare. However, the wind blew, and as one, they bowed to each other's skill.

 

They continued, walking past each other. And it was only then that the samurai realized he had trained for so many years so he would not have to kill.