THE TUNNEL
A Zen Story JAPAN
Zenkai the son of a Samurai, journeyed to Edo and there became the retainer of a high official. He fell in love with official's wife and was discovered. In self-defense, he slew the official. Then he ran away with the wife.
Both of them later became. But the woman became so greedy that Zenkai grew finally disgusted. Finally, living her, he journeyed far away to the province of Buzen, where he became a wandering beggar.
To atone for his past,Zenkai resolved to accomplish some good deeds in his lifetime. knowing of dangerous road over a cliff that had caused the death and injure of many travelers, he resolved to cut a tunnel through the mountain there.
Begging food in the daytime, Zenkai worked at night digging his tunnel. When thirty years had gone by, the tunnel was 2,280 ft. long, twenty feet high, and thirty feet wide.
Two years before the work was completed, the son of the official he had slain, who was a skilled swordsman, found Zenkai out and decided to kill him in revenge.
"I will give you my life willingly," said Zenkai. "Only, let me finish this work. On the day it is completed, then you may kill me."
So the official's son waited the day. several months passed and Zenkai kept on digging. The son grew tired of doing nothing and began to help with the digging. After he had helped for more than a year, he cane to admire Zenkai's strong will and character.At last the tunnel was completed and the people could use it and travel in safety through the mountain.
" Now cut off head," said Zenkai. "My work is done."
" How can I cut off my teacher's head?" asked the younger man with tears in his eyes.
