| Parsifal (Kebir Blue) | Monday, February 21, 2011 - 09:00 pm 
An old Samuri Zen master took a ferry to cross over the Yabase to the Provence of Omi. There was among the passengers a young sturdy Samuri and experienced fencer. He behaved rudely toward the passengers and bragged about his swordsmanship. Finally the old Samuri broke the silence and said 'You seem, my friend, to practice the art in order to conquer the enemy, but I do it in order not to be conquered'. The young Samuri inquired, 'what school of swordsmanship do you belong to?' The old man replied, ' Well, mine is the Conquering-enemy-without-fighting-school.' Whereupon the young Samuri challenged the old man to a duel. The old man agreed but said, 'we must not fight in the ferry lest passengers should be hurt.' The ferry was pulled to the shore. The young Samuri quickly jumped to shore, drew his sword and cried 'Come on, monk, monk quick'. ' Do not hasten to lose your head young warrior. It is a rule of my school to prepare slowly for fighting, keeping the soul in the abdomen.' Saying this the old man snatched the oar from the boatman and rowed the boat back to some distance, with the man on shore shouting, 'O, you fly, monk you coward.' 'Now listen,' said the old Samuri, 'this is the secret of Conquering-enemy-without-fighting-school. Beware that you do not forget it, nor tell anyone else.' |
