"Life has never been taken with such ecstasy, joy and bliss as Zen has done. The common religions of the world, Hinduism or Christianity, Mohammedanism or Jainism are all too serious. And their seriousness keeps them imprisoned in words, in theories, in philosophies. Their seriousness does not allow them to laugh, to sing, to dance, to be merry. They have spoiled the whole of humanity, they have destroyed the laughter of every child who has been born.

"It seems there is something in laughter of which our so-called society is afraid. It is afraid because laughter is going to expose its hypocrisy. Then you will see laughter everywhere. Hypocrisy is happening all around; but the society has forced you to be insensitive to it.

"Now look, a gorilla is sitting just by the side of Maneesha.

"Gorilla, sir, will you stand up? That's good!

"Soon it is going to be very difficult. If tigers and gorillas hear you – and they are bound to hear you, it is natural, because here is a place where they can be respected.

After Hyakujo had become a master in his own right,
he asked Obaku where he had come from.
Obaku said, 'From gathering mushrooms at the foot of Mount Daiyu.'
'Did you see the tiger there?' asked Hyakujo.
Obaku roared like a tiger.
Hyakujo lifted up his ax and made as if to chop him down.
Obaku gave Hyakujo a slap.
Hyakujo sang out and laughed, and went back to his seat.
To the monks he said, 'At the foot of Mount Daiyu there is a tiger
which you positively must see.
Your old Hyakujo has just had a word with him.'

"So playful, so childlike, so non-serious, so alive is the approach of Zen.

"It is perfectly good for tigers and lions and deer to come to this gathering. They will appear, for this gorilla is going to spread the news.

"Gorilla sir, please be silent – although it is not your way, neither is it in your nature – but please don't start gossiping about this temple. We don't want tigers and lions, because we don't have the space. Just wait a little. Once we have got a bigger space, which we will be getting, then you can bring all the gorillas – you must have friends, a wife, children."