Zen Koan, "Time to Die"... "koans, or parables, were translated into English from a book called the Shaseki-shu (Collection of Stone and Sand), written late in the thirteenth century by the Japanese Zen teacher Muju (the "non-dweller"), and from anecdotes of Zen monks taken from various books published in Japan around the turn of the 20th century."
(from the website, Zen Koans -AshidaKim.com under the Zen Koans Index as # 85); It is one of my favorites:
85. Time to Die
Ikkyu, the Zen master, was very clever even as a boy. His teacher had a precious teacup, a rare antique. Ikkyu happened to break this cup and was greatly perplexed. Hearing the footsteps of his teacher, he held the pieces of the cup behind him. When the master appeared, Ikkyu asked: "Why do people have to die?"
"This is natural," explained the older man. "Everything has to die and has just so long to live."
Ikkyu, producing the shattered cup, added: "It was time for your cup to die."
Recycle and Motivation
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Recycle Love, Rekindle Faith, Move in Purpose to Motivate. Cheryl E
Gordon 1/10/10
Author, Cheryl E Gordon~ Origin Rights Reserved