How to Learn Zen From a Dog

A Zen Koan.

A Zen master and his disciples went to bathe in a river. After bathing, all the disciples gathered around the master as he walked.

A disciple asked him, "Dear Master, what should I do to become enlightened?"

The master said, "Learn from that dog," referring to a dog that was nearby and kept walking.

The disciple was greatly disappointed and angry within himself that the master had ignored his question. Then he asked, "Oh, Master, what can I learn from a dog?"

The master walked on for some time without saying anything.

The disciple persisted, "I don't want to learn from that dog, please tell me, Master."

The master then pointed to another dog that was playing in the next street and said, "Then learn from this dog."

"You are making fun of me, Master. What can I learn from a dog? All it does is eat and sleep and have sex. I have come in search of you only to become free from that."

"You also eat and sleep and have sex" said the master.

The student was instantly enlightened.