ZEN STORIES

Two monks, Tanzan and Ekido, were traveling down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling. Coming around a bend, they met a lovely woman in a silk kimono unable to cross the muddy intersection. Tanzan at once lifted her in his arms and carried her across. The monks walked on in silence. Hours later, Ekido could contain himself no longer. " We monks do not go near women," he said. "Why did you carry that woman?" Tanzan replied, "I left the woman there. Are you still carrying her?"