Zen Garden Koan # 11

Three Warriors


Mummu and a monk were travelling down the road when they passed by three warriors. Mummu asked each, as they passed, how they prepared for battle.

The first replied, "I am always prepared, for there is always a battle."
The second said, "I keep watch. When I see battle approaching, I prepare."
The third answered, "I trust that my skills will carry me through when battle comes."

Mummu asked his companion, "Which of these three is closest to enlightenment?"
The monk answered, "It isn't the first, for he is always at battle, never at rest. It can't be the third, for he is never ready until the moment has passed. It must be the second- for he, at least, remains vigilant."
Mummu said, "You are wrong, it is none of them."
The monk asked, "Why?"
And Mummu replied, "Where there is no war, there is no peace. That is the path to enlightenment."


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