Monday, March 7, 2011

Zen and the Art of Bicycle Riding

(Taken from the May/June 1989 Utne Reader, which took this from Shawn Gosieski, New Cyclist, Fall 1988.)

A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastery and had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?"

The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the first student, "You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do."

The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!" The teacher commended the second student, "Your eyes are open, and you see the world."

The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel."

The fourth student replied, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings." The teacher was pleased, and said to the fourth student, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming."

The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said, "I am your student!" 
Posted by at

43 comments:

  1. DaleJune 19, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    i comment to comment. =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 21, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    I tautology.

    ReplyDelete
  3. edwardAugust 4, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    Simple but meaningful words, that. More people in Sydney need to learn how to enjoy life and do things just because they want to and stop overthinking! That's going to be my new catch phrase I think!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 20, 2016 at 10:22 PM

    I like the post format as you create user engagement in the complete article. It seems round up of all published posts. Thanks for gauging the informative posts. bikes under

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownOctober 19, 2017 at 4:17 PM

    Each time I used to always check blog posts within the first hours in the break of day, because I like to get information increasingly more. benistar

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownOctober 28, 2017 at 4:51 AM

    You guys abolish it real straightforward for all the oldsters out there
    crossfitsite.com/do-win-weightlifting-shoes-review/.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownOctober 28, 2017 at 5:18 AM

    The stuff you are penning blows out my mind www.gympros.com.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JordanNovember 2, 2017 at 5:58 PM

    With the circuit boards being made with high quality aluminum, the lives of the Fish Tank Setups LED bulbs are maximized.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jims lindaDecember 7, 2017 at 7:53 AM

    How much you need to pay relies greatly on the time needed to complete the course and what lessons are covered. bicycle maintenance training

    ReplyDelete
  10. MatiasSeptember 5, 2018 at 11:43 PM

    Should you feel find it difficult to, you undoubtedly is not able to; If you don't intend, to have failing. Things are subject to intellect, reduction of hundreds exercises are hopeless prior to starting. focus mountain bikes for sale

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownSeptember 14, 2018 at 4:18 PM

    The superb highly informative blog I’m about to share this with all my contacts.grass fed whey protein

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownOctober 1, 2018 at 3:37 PM

    Cool blog site friend I'm about to suggest this to all my listing contacts.Qualia supplement

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownNovember 14, 2018 at 11:34 PM

    A bicycle of good quality should be of the correct size. This makes for an agreeable ride in connection to your physical edge.double bunks

    ReplyDelete
  14. gilbert graceNovember 15, 2018 at 6:00 AM

    I spam to spam ..

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownDecember 28, 2018 at 4:47 PM

    Your articles are very well written and unique.one password

    ReplyDelete
  16. Daly, CarsonDecember 31, 2018 at 4:21 PM

    Each time I used to always check blog posts within the first hours in the break of day, because I like to get information increasingly more.https://loansgeeks.com/ca/bad-credit-loans-canada/

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownJanuary 15, 2019 at 9:12 PM

    This written piece gives fastidious understanding yet. It’s amazing in support of me to truly have a web site that is valuable meant for my knowledge online payment systems

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownJanuary 30, 2019 at 1:14 AM

    I read this post fully concerning the difference of latest and former stuff, it is awesome article.TubeMate

    ReplyDelete
  19. max simthFebruary 18, 2019 at 10:23 PM

    Amazing article! I need individuals to know exactly how great this data is in your article. It's intriguing, convincing substance. Your perspectives are much like my own concerning this subject. Best Mountain Bikes Under 2000

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownMarch 1, 2019 at 10:56 PM

    I constantly emailed this site post page to all my friends, because if prefer to read it then my all friends will too.check these guys out

    ReplyDelete
  21. latest bollywood songs 2019May 5, 2019 at 11:24 PM

    Looking for Bollywood Movies Download Sites ? Vidmate Official site https://www.vidmateapp.com is the right place for you! Vidmate is the best app that lets you download videos and songs from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc and various other sites.

    ReplyDelete
  22. CyclatoJune 4, 2019 at 9:12 AM

    Cyclato For Beginners A Complete Guide To Cycling

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mohsin MemonJune 13, 2019 at 7:04 PM

    Thanks for this post and Click Here To Buy Best Cheap Laptops

    ReplyDelete
  24. HowToJune 28, 2019 at 2:04 AM

    Thanks for this post and To Learn Cooking By Sitting At Home

    ReplyDelete
  25. HowToJune 29, 2019 at 6:26 PM

    Thanks for this post and To Learn Cooking By Sitting At Home

    Thanks for this post and How To Make A Tea

    Thanks for this post and How To Make Chicken Role

    Thanks for this post and How To Make Chicken Vegetable Sandwich

    ReplyDelete
  26. HowToJune 29, 2019 at 6:27 PM

    Thanks for this post and To Learn Cooking By Sitting At Home

    Thanks for this post and How To Make A Tea

    Thanks for this post and How To Make Chicken Role

    Thanks for this post and How To Make Chicken Vegetable Sandwich

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mohsin MemonJune 30, 2019 at 5:55 PM

    Thanks for this post and learn How To Make A Pizza

    ReplyDelete
  28. David Lewis July 1, 2019 at 8:19 PM

    Thanks for this post and To Download The Crew

    ReplyDelete
  29. David Lewis July 1, 2019 at 8:27 PM

    Thanks for this post and To Download The Crew

    ReplyDelete
  30. David Lewis July 1, 2019 at 8:29 PM

    Thanks for this post and To Download The Crew

    ReplyDelete
  31. Mohsin MemonJuly 2, 2019 at 9:54 PM



    Thanks for this post and Click Here TO Download Watch Dogs 2

    ReplyDelete
  32. Mohsin MemonJuly 2, 2019 at 9:59 PM



    Thanks for this post and Click Here TO Download Watch Dogs 2

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mohsin MemonJuly 2, 2019 at 10:05 PM



    Thanks for this post and Click Here TO Download Watch Dogs 2

    ReplyDelete
  34. Mohsin MemonJuly 2, 2019 at 10:09 PM



    Thanks for this post and Click Here TO Download Watch Dogs 2

    ReplyDelete
  35. Mohsin MemonJuly 3, 2019 at 7:06 PM

    Thanks for this post and Click Here To Download Assassin's Creed Unity

    ReplyDelete
  36. HowToJuly 13, 2019 at 10:54 PM

    Thanks For This Post And Want To Get Traffic Yor Can By Clicking This Text Get Traffic From Pinterest For Your Website Or Blog

    ReplyDelete
  37. Mohsin MemonJuly 22, 2019 at 8:37 PM

    Thanks For This Post And If you Want Some hard Hats For The Construction You Can Get Them By Clicking In This Sentence

    ReplyDelete
  38. mariyamkhanAugust 19, 2019 at 11:32 PM

    I’m sure your publish and internet site is incredibly constructed pop over to this web-site

    ReplyDelete
  39. Michael SmithAugust 23, 2019 at 11:28 PM

    You have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent. You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you. horse riding lessons london

    ReplyDelete
  40. lovejewelleryAugust 24, 2019 at 10:54 PM

    Most of people have bike or can easily get it. If you have bike, you can also easily connect it to the  wending cart which you can build yourself or buy for good price. https://www.jxcycles.com/

    ReplyDelete
  41. Rodney JanisSeptember 27, 2019 at 8:35 PM

    I even have been getting a lot of helpful and informative material in your web site. Buyers Impact

    ReplyDelete
  42. AliceOctober 12, 2019 at 6:13 PM

    Thanks for sharing.Introduce this year's most popular magical short video app Likee. Super Star abdool rahaman is also in Likee. Have a look here!

    ReplyDelete
  43. mtomOctober 23, 2019 at 1:16 AM

    A food cart is a mobile kitchen set up on the street to prepare and sell street food to passers-by. Food carts are often found in cities worldwide selling food of every kind. ... Some food carts are towed by another vehicle, while some are pushed by a human or animal. more detail about food cart so visit our site https://www.jxcycles.com/food-carts/

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)