Tanzan

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Tanzan (18?? – July 27, 1892) was a Buddhist monk and professor of Philosophy at the Japanese Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) during the Meiji period. Considered a Zen Master, he figures in several well-known koans. He was also well-known for his disregard of many of the precepts of everyday Buddhism, such as dietary laws.

[edit] The Muddy Road

This is one of the most famous stories of Tanzan.

Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling. As they came around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross at an intersection.

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

Ekido did not speak until that night when they reached a lodging temple. The he could no longer 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?"

[edit] Death

Tanzan wrote sixty postal cards on the last day of his life, and asked an attendant to mail them. Then he passed away. The cards read:

I am departing from this world.

This is my last announcement.

Tanzan. July 27, 1892.

[edit] References

• Reps, Paul, Nyogen Senzaki. Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings. ISBN 0804831866.