The story of Zenkai, the monk
I came across this beautiful story on zenkaipartners.com after speaking with Reiko Kano, one of the founders. It resonated with me and I thought you might find it inspiring too.
“The Yamakuni River is a picturesque waterway that flows along the border between Oita and Fukuoka Prefectures on the island of Kyushu. In Oita, at the town of Yabakei, the river has carved out its path from towering rock cliffs that now form the shoreline. Near that shore, there is a remarkable tunnel that was dug completely by hand over 260 years ago by a solitary monk.
Zenkai was not a native of the Yabakei area but had moved there as part of his monastic training at the age of 49. In his younger years, Zenkai had committed a terrible crime that led to a man’s death. He chose to find his salvation by joining the religious order and he was dispatched to Yabakei to reflect on the Buddhist teachings.
After arriving in Yabakei, he saw the dangers that the villagers had to face every day as they carried heavy loads through the treacherous mountain paths that connected the villages and a local shrine. It was not unusual for the villagers to lose their lives after falling into the mighty Yamakuni.
It was then that Zenkai realized why fate had brought him to Yabakei. He knew he had been given the mission to improve the lives of the villagers. He decided to dedicate the rest of his life to digging a safe passage through the solid rock, allowing people and products to flow safely and smoothly.
Using only a hammer and a chisel, and while facing ridicule from the doubting townspeople, Zenkai diligently spent the next 32 years chiseling through the mountain. Because of his dogged determination and unbreakable spirit, the 185-meter tunnel was completed in 1763.”
Reiko writes, “We at Zenkai Improvement Partners pay our respect to Zenkai’s perseverance and dedication to the betterment of all.”
I love her message of contribution and hope. Perhaps the story particularly resonates with me because, like Zenkai, I started only later in life to do work I found purposeful and helpful.
Whatever difference you’re trying to make, pick up your chisel and start now.
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Note: I am indebted to Colleen Soppelsa for generously introducing me to Reiko Kano and her work.
