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by Alan Steinborn
I recently came across an amusing story* that
I wsih to share with you.
It is a Zen Story called The Taste of Banzo's Sword.
Matajuro Yagyu was the son of a famous
swordsman.
His father, believing that his
son's work was too mediocre to anticipate
mastership, refused to teach him.
So Matajuro went to Mount Futara and
there found the famous swordsman Banzo.
But Banzo confirmed the father's
judgment.
"You wish to learn swordsmanship under
my guidance?" asked Banzo. "You cannot
fulfill the requirements." "But if I work hard,
how many years will it take me to become a
master?" Persisted the youth.
"The rest of your life," replied Banzo. "I cannot
wait that long," explained Matajuro.
"I am willing to pass through any hardship if
onlyyou will teach me. If I become your devoted
servant, how long might it be?"
"Oh, maybe ten years," Banzo relented.
"My father is getting old, and soon I must
take care of him," continued Matajuro.
"If I work far more intensively, how long
would it take me?"
"Oh, maybe thirty years," Said Banzo.
"Why is that?" asked Matajuro. "First you say
ten and now thirty years. I will undergo any
hardship to master the art in the shortest time!"
"Well," said Banzo, "in that case you will have
to remain with me for seventy years.A man in
such a hurry seldom learns quickly."
"Very well," declared the youth, understanding
at last that he was being rebuked for impatience,
"I agree."
Matajuro was told never to speak of fencing and
never to touch a sword. He cooked for his master,
washed the dishes, made his bed, cleaned the yard,
cared for the garden, all without a word of swords-
manship.
Three years passed. Still Matajuro labored on.
Thinking of his future, he was sad. He had not even
begun to learn the art to which had devoted his
life.
But one day Banzo crept up behind him and
gave him a terrific blow with a wooden sword.
The following day, when Matajuro was cooking
rice, Banzo again sprang upon him unexpectedly.
After that, day and night, Matajuro had to defend
himself from unexpected thrusts. Not a moment
passed in any day that he did not have to think of
the taste of Banzo's sword.
He learned so rapidly he brought smiles to the
face of his master. Matajuro became the greatest
swordsman in the land.
Please email me at alan@speaknow.biz and tell me about something you are
in a hurry to accomplish? And then considor how you can you learn from seemingly
unrelated, everyday situations to help you succeed and describe that to me as well!
Yours in Presence,
Alan Steinborn
*This story and other great stories can be found in the book Zen Flesh/ Zen Bones.
Alan Steinborn, All Rights Reserved, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
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