Dogen and the Tenzo

Dogen was on Mount Tientung in China, studying Zen, when one day he encountered an old monk who was working as tenzo [chief cook]. It was midsummer, and the sun was beating down hard. The tenzo was working vigorously, drying out some shiitake mushrooms.

Dogen said to the tenzo, "This is awfully hard work, isn't it? Why don't you have a younger man do it?"

The tenzo answered Dogen, "If another person does it, I won't be able to do it myself."



"That's so," replied Dogen. "But it's so hot right now. Wouldn't it be better to do it on a more pleasant day?"

And the tenzo responded, "And when would such a pleasant day be? Answer me that. Will there ever be another time like this one, right now?"

Dogen could say nothing, and the tenzo worked on, sweating in silence.