73. Ten Successors

Zen pupils take a vow that even if they are killed by their teacher, they intend to learn Zen. Usually they cut a finger and seal their resolution with blood. In time the vow has become a mere formality, and for this reason the pupil who died by the hand of Eki-Do was made to appear a martyr.

Eki-Do had become a severe teacher. His pupils feared him. One of them on duty, striking the gong to tell the time of day, missed his beats when his eye was attracted by a beautiful girl passing the temple gate.

At that moment, Eki-Do, who was directly behind him, hit him with a stick, and the shock happened to kill him.

The pupil's guardian, hearing of the accident, went directly to Eki-Do. Knowing that he was not to blame, he praised the master for his severe teaching. Eki-Do's attitude was just the same as if the pupil were still alive.

After this took place, he was able to produce under his guidance more than ten enlightened successors, a very unusual number.