by Paul Brian Campbell,SJ

An emperor in Japan asked Gudo, the Zen master, “What happens to a man of enlightenment after death?” Rulers of medieval Japan often consulted Zen masters on political affairs or philosophical problems and while some emperors were spiritually quite advanced, most rarely understood the true import of the masters’ teachings.

Gudo replied to his emperor, “Phew, I don’t know what happens”.

“Well, you’re supposed to be a master!”

“Yes, but not a dead one!”