Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road
Jendo was the emperor's teacher of his time. Nevertheless, he'd travel alone as a wanderer. Once when he was on his way to Soka, he approached a little village named Myoko. It was evening and it rained. Jendo was very wet and hid straw sandals were in pieces. At a farmhouse near the village he noticed four or five pairs of sandals in the window and decided to buy some dry ones.
The woman who offered him the sandals, seeing how wet he was, invited him in to remain for the night. Jendo thanked her and accepted. He entered and recited a prayer before the family shrine. He was then introduced to the women's mother and her children. Observing that the entire family was sad, Jendo asked what was wrong.
"My husband is a gambler and a drunk," the wife told him. "When he wins, he drinks and becomes abusive. When he loses he borrows money. Sometimes he gets drunk and doesn't come home at all! What can I do?"
"I will help him," said Jendo. "Here is some money. Get some wine and something good to eat. Then you may retire. I will meditate before the shrine."
When the man of the house returned about midnight, quite drunk, he bellowed: "Hey, wife, I am home. Have you something for me to eat?"
"I have something for you," said Jendo. "I happened to be caught in the rain and your wife kindly allowed me to remain here for the night. In return I have bought some wine and fish, so you may have some.
The man was delighted. He drank the wine at once and laid himself down on the floor.
Jendo sat in meditation beside him.
In the morning, when the husband awoke, he had forgotten about the previous night. Confused he asked "Who are you? Where did you come from?" though Jendo was still meditating.
"I am Jendo of Osaka and I am going on to Soka," replied the Zen master.
Recognizing that name, the man was ashamed. He apologized profusely to the teacher of the emperor.
Jendo smiled. "Everything in this life is impermanent," he explained. "Life is very brief. If you continue gambling and drinking, you will have no time left to accomplish anything else, and you will cause your family to suffer too."
The perception of the husband suddenly awoke, as if from a dream. "You are right," he declared. "How can I ever repay you? Let me see you off and carry your things a little way."
"As you wish," said Jendo.
The two started out. After they had gone 3 miles, Jendo told him to return.
"Just another 5 miles," he begged Jendo. They continued on.
"You should go back." stated Jendo.
"After another 10 miles," the man replied.
"Return home." said Jendo, when 10 miles had passed.
"I am going to follow you for the rest of my days" said the man.
Modern Zen teachings in Japan spring from the lineage of a famous master who was the successor of Jendo. His name was Mu-jin, the man who never turned back.
dcj commentary: He turned his back on his family...decades earlier.