Cerita Zen
A Smile in His Lifetime
Mokugen was never known to smile until his last day on earth. When his
time came to pass away he said to his faithful ones: "You have studied
under me for more than ten years. Show me your real interpretation of
Zen. Whoever expresses this most clearly shall by my successor and
receive my robe and bowl."
Everyone watched Mokugen's severe face, but no one answered.
Encho, a disciple who had been with his teacher for a long time, moved
near the bedside. He pushed forward the medicine cup a few inches.
This was his answer to the command.
The teacher's face became even more severe. "Is that all you
understand?" he asked.
Encho reached out and moved the cup back again.
A beautiful smile broke over the features of Mokugen. "You rascal," he
told Encho. "You worked with me ten years and have not yet seen my
whole body. Take the robe and bowl. They belong to you."