A Zen teacher was walking in front of the monastery when he saw five young monks riding their bicycles as they returned from the market. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked them, “Why are you riding your bicycles?”
The first monk replied, “The sack of potatoes are heavy on my back and so I let bicycle carry them.”
The teacher praised the monk, “You’re a smart lad. When old, you will not walk as I do, hunched over.
The second monk said, “I love to watch the trees, fields and sky pass by as I roll along.”
The teacher said, “Your eyes are open, and you see the world.”
The third monk said, “When I ride my bike, I chant nam myoho renge kyo.”
The teacher praised the monk, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly aligned wheel.”
The fourth monk said, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings.”
The teacher said, “You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”
The fifth monk said, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.”
The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth monk and said, “I am your student!”
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