The Story Is the Teaching

Text

Kumārata was known for teaching through narrative examples rather than abstract doctrine. He said: 'The people who come to me are not philosophers. They are farmers and merchants, mothers and soldiers. A story enters the heart where an argument cannot. I am not betraying the Dharma by telling stories—I am finding its shortest road.' Keizan's verse: The master opens his mouth / and a thousand worlds appear. / Which word is the Dharma? / All of them. None of them.

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Attributed To
  Kumarata

Lineage: Indian Patriarchs

By Kumarata

• Recognizing the Successordialogue

From Denkoroku

• The Robe That Never Wears Out
• The Fragrance Without a Flower
• The Mind That Is Like Space
• The Auspicious Cloud
• The Wine Jar and the Dharma
• The Star That Does Not Move
• Entering the Gate as a Householder
• The Vow of Pārśva
• The Debate That Ended Without Debate
• Meeting Nāgārjuna

Sources

• contentZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation

  Zen project editorial

  Denkoroku, Case 20

  Denkoroku: The Story Is the Teaching