The First Principle
When one goes to OBaku
temple in Kyoto he sees carved over the gate the characters:
"The First Principle."
The letters are
unusually large, and those who appreciate calligraphy always admire them as
being a masterpiece. They were drawn by KoSen two hundred years ago.
When the master drew
them he did so on paper, from which workmen made the larger carving in wood.
As KoSen wrote the characters,
a bold pupil was with him who had made several gallons of ink for the
calligraphy… and, who never failed to criticize his master's work.
"That is not good.", he told KoSen after the
first effort.
"How is that one?", asked KoSen.
"Poor. Worse than before!" pronounced the pupil.
KoSen patiently wrote,
one sheet after another, until eighty-four ‘First
Principles’ had been accumulated. Still, none met with the approval of the
pupil.
Then, when the young
man stepped outside for a few moments, KoSen thought:
"Now is my chance to escape his keen eye.", and
he wrote hurriedly, with a mind free from disctraction. "The First Principle."
"A masterpiece!", exclaimed
the pupil.
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