Cerita Zen
Gisho's Work
Gisho was ordained as a nun when she was ten years old. She received
training just as the little boys did. When she reached the age of
sixteen she traveled from one Zen master to another, studying with
them all.
She remained three years with Unzan, six years with Gukei, but was
unable to obtained a clear vision. At last she went to the master
Inzan.
Inzan showed her no distinction at all on account of her sex. He
scolded her like a thunderstorm. He cuffed her to awaken her inner
nature.
Gisho remained with Inzan thirteen years, and then she found that
which she was seeking!
In her honor, Inzan wrote a poem:
This nun studied thirteen years under my guidance.In the evening she
considered the deepest koans,In the morning she was wrapped in other
koans.The Chinese nun Tetsuma surpassed all before her,And since
Mujaku none has been so genuine as this Gisho!Yet there are many more
gates for her to pass through.She should receive still more blows from
my iron fist.
After Gisho was enlightened she went to the province of Banshu,
started her own Zen temple, and taught two hundred other nuns until
she passed away one year in the month of August.