Parables:
  The Spider Thread
  Mr. Makiguchi and Fudo Myo-o
  Taishaku and the Fine Feathered Bird
  A Little Priest Fable
  Shakyamuni and the Lovers
  The Parable of the Zither
  SuShi and the Buddhist Monk
  Wo and Jah
  Stonecutter (Tao of Pooh)
  24 Hours To Die

Essays:
  The Jewel and the Genome
  Mantras of Kitties
  The Mantras of Other Beings
  The Wave Theory of Karma
  Water Karma
  Gandhi on Anger
  Buddhas' Footprints
  Connections
  The Great Wish, the DaiGohonzon, and the SGI
  The Gakkai Spirit

Humor:
  The Daimoku Parrot
  The Excommunicated Newlyweds

The Dancing Monk and the Self-Denying Monk 

During the time of Gautama Siddhartha there were no telephones or Internet or even a written language. Because communication is so vital for transmitting the teachings of the Buddha, a class of disciples called traveling monks arose to facilitate communication between the Buddha and his supporters. 

Those who were chosen had to be in good physical condition, be completely honest, and have excellent memories. One such monk was Sadhonna. 

Sadhonna was returning to the Deer Park where the Buddha was staying when he encountered a monk practicing the Sadmadhi of self denial. 

The self-denying monk resembled cobwebs stretched over a skeleton. He was sitting on an anthill in the Lotus Position. He did not even twitch as ants pulled at his flesh. 

Sadhonna called to him, "Fellow monk, I am on my way to see the Buddha. Is there any message you would like to convey?" 

The self-denying monk grimaced and said, "Ask the Buddha, how many more lifetimes I will endure before attaining Buddhahood." 

Sadhonna assured the self-denying monk that he would ask, and then continued on his journey. 

Just before nightfall, he heard someone singing a little off key. He could see someone, dressed in monk's clothing, clumsily dancing in a little clearing in the woods. 

He called out to him saying "Fellow monk, I am on my way to see the Buddha. Is there any message you would like to convey?" 

The dancing monk thought for a moment and said "Yes, ask him when will I reach my enlightenment." 

Sadhonna assured the dancing monk he would ask, and then he walked on to see the Buddha. 

A few months later Sadhonna returned and encountered the self-denying monk. His flesh was so thin that his bones were visible. "The Buddha answered your question," Sadhonna said. 

"How long until I reach my enlightenment?" whispered the self-denying monk. 

"Four more lifetimes," answered Sadhonna. 

The self-denying monk grimaced. 

Sadhonna traveled a bit further and encountered the dancing monk. "The Buddha has answered your question," he said. 

How many more lifetimes?" asked the dancing monk. 

Sadhonna pointed to a large tree with thousands of leaves shimmering in the sunlight and said "As many as the leaves on that tree." 

The dancing monk laughed and attained enlightenment instantly.