A Zen master named Shoju Ronin was visited by a number of swordsmen who wanted to improve their sword-play. His talk over tea inspired them, but they were skeptical. They believed their rigorous training in martial arts skills made them superior in the world of real competition. The Zen Master decided to teach them. But he knew that mere words were not enough to convince them.
So instead of engaging in more conversation, the Ronin challenged them to try to strike him with their swords, while he used only a fan to protect himself. Amazingly, they could not find an opening to attack and eventually had to admit defeat. Another monk who had watched the entire encounter asked how this was possible, since the master had never practiced with a sword. Shoju Ronin answered:
When the right insight is gained and knows no obstruction, it applies to anything, including swordplay. The ordinary people are concerned with names. As soon as they hear one name discrimination takes place in their minds. The owner of the right eye sees each object in its own light. When he sees the sword, he knows at once the way it operates. He confronts the multiplicity of things and is not
confounded.
From Zen and Japanese Culture by D. T. Suzuki. 1959.
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