Who are Tanzan and Ekido?

Answer 1

Tanzan and Ekido are characters from a Zen Buddhist koan, which is a short story or dialogue used for meditation and teaching. In the story, Tanzan and Ekido, who are traveling monks, encounter a woman struggling to cross a muddy road. Tanzan carries her across, while Ekido disapproves of his actions, as it goes against their vows. The tale highlights the contrast between compassionate action and rigid adherence to rules, illustrating key Zen principles on the nature of enlightenment and human experience.