A Collection of Zen Stories 禪意故事

A Collection of Zen Stories. Image: Shutterstock.

This page was created so you can easily find all the Zen stories I’ve shared—along with the ones still to come—in one place. But before I say more, I want to give credit where it’s due. The idea to turn these stories into videos didn’t come from me. It came from a thoughtful viewer who has offered kind words and encouragement.

Since then, I’ve been lucky to receive ongoing feedback from this person who wish not to be named. I hope this viewer know how truly grateful I am for their support and guidance.

I hope these stories help you pause, reflect, and return to your practice—just as they continue to do for me.

Title	Synopsis
The Root of Suffering 苦的根本	What is the greatest suffering in the world? In a deep forest, a monk named Persistent Strength meditates in stillness—surrounded by four unusual companions: a dove, a crow, a snake, and a deer. One day, they begin to speak and share their thoughts on the deepest kinds of pain—hunger, desire, anger, and fear. But when the monk opens his eyes, he offers a truth far deeper than they expected. This is a story of wisdom, reflection, and the path to true freedom.
One Mind Alone with the World 孤獨者的沉思 襌意故事	Can you become a Buddha just by sitting still? In the misty mountains of ancient China, a young monk named Daoyi sat in silent meditation from dawn to dusk, hoping to awaken through stillness alone. But when the wise abbot picked up a brick and began to grind it like a mirror, everything changed. What followed wasn’t just a strange encounter—it was a powerful teaching that shattered illusion and sparked true awakening. This is the story of how one question—and one brick—opened the path to real Zen.
A Game That Sets the Mind Spinning 奇賭的聯想 禪意故事	Can a dung beetle teach us about enlightenment? At eighty years old, the great Zen master Zhaozhou was still walking from place to place, full of life and wisdom. But he wasn’t just known for deep teachings—he also had a playful heart. One day, he challenged his student to a game of humility: who could compare themselves to the lowest, most useless thing? What followed was a hilarious and surprising exchange that, beneath the surface, revealed the heart of Zen. In a world where people cling to pride and appearances, this story shows how true wisdom can bloom even in a pile of dung.
Tao is Found Even in Bodily Waste 莊子 道在屎溺	Can the Tao really be found in waste? A man once asked Zhuangzi where the Tao could be found. Each time Zhuangzi answered, he pointed lower—an ant, wild grass, bricks, even urine and feces. The man grew more uncomfortable with each reply, until he fell silent. Then Zhuangzi spoke again, using the story of a butcher and a pig to show that the lowest places often reveal the clearest truth. The story reminds us that the Tao isn’t just in what feels pure or special. It’s already present, even in the parts of life we tend to overlook. We just need to stop trying to control where it should be.
If I don't teach, who will? 我不教，谁教	Can calm really change a person? One night, Master Qili is chanting quietly when a robber rushes in with a knife and demands money. The master does not panic or argue. He tells the man where the money is, asks him to leave some behind for daily needs, and even reminds him to say thank you. Later, when the robber is caught, Master Qili refuses to call him a thief and says the money was freely given. After serving his sentence, the man returns, bows deeply, and asks to become the master’s student. The story reminds us that real practice shows up in ordinary life, even in moments of fear. When the heart stays calm and open, compassion can reach places force never could, and even one clear moment can change a life’s direction.