Cerita Zen
Happy Chinaman
Anyone walking about Chinatowns in America will observe statues of a
stout fellow carrying a linen sack. Chinese merchants call him Happy
Chinaman or Laughing Buddha.
This Hotei lived in the T'ang dynasty. He had no desire to call
himself a Zen master or to gather many disciples around him. Instead
he walked the streets with a big sack into which he would put gifts of
candy, fruit, or doughnuts. These he would give to children who
gathered around him in play. He established a kindergarten of the
streets.
Whenever he met a Zen devotee he would extend his hand and say: "Give
me one penny."
Once as he was about to play-work another Zen master happened along
and inquired: "What is the significance of Zen?"
Hotei immediately plopped his sack down on the ground in silent
answer.
"Then," asked the other, "what is the actualization of Zen?"
At once the Happy Chinaman swung the sack over his shoulder and
continued on his way.