Taken From The May/June 1989 Utne Reader, Which Took This From Shawn Gosieski, New Cyclist, Fall 1988.

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Taken from the May/June 1989 Utne Reader, which took this from
Shawn Gosieski, New Cyclist, Fall 1988. (and it has come in from
other sources -ed)


A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market,
riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastary and had dis-
mounted, 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 stu-
dent, "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!"

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