ZEN STORIES

A governor visited Master Gudo and asked, " Is there a hell and a paradise?" Gudo replied, "Why do you ask?" The governor said, "I am a governor." Gudo's face turned stern. "What? You are a governor?" he exclaimed. "You look like a beggar to me!" Enraged, the governor reached for his sword. Gudo said, "So you have a sword. That opens the gates of hell." The governor, realizing his anger, sheathed his sword and bowed. Gudo said, "And that opens the gates of paradise."