Zen Buddhism and Taoism

Here are some addages from ancient scripts: [1] A Monk and his student were walking in the forest when they came upon a female standing by a shallow brook. The student asked her "Why are you standing here?". The female said "I do not want to get my feet wet.". The student took off his jacket and placed it in her path across the water. The female said "Your jacket is wet. I will get my feet wet if I try to cross.". The student took her on his back and carried her across the stream. Males are not supposed to touch anything that females touch; even to touch their footprints. After the student placed the female back onto the ground, he and the Monk began walking again. After 3 hours of silence the student stopped and faced the Monk. He told the Monk " Sir, I am sorry I touched the woman I carried across the creek.". The Monk looked at the student and said "If you are so sorry, why do you still carry her?". [2] A Monk was running from a hungry lion. He ran through some bushes and stopped at a cliff. He looked behind him and saw the lion slowly walking up to him. He looked over the cliff to see another hungry lion looking up at him. he jumped to avoid the lion behind him. Halfway down the cliff he saw a rock with a vine. he grabbed the rock. He looked down and saw the lion waiting. He looked up and saw the lion at the top of the cliff. Then, he noticed the vine had a strawberry on it. He plucked the strawberry as the rock broke loose from the cliff. AS he was falling, he ate the strawberry and enjoyed it. Meaning of this story: Never worry about bad things of the past. They are gone. Do not worry about bad things of the future. They are not here yet. Just enjoy the present good things. Do not allow bad things to make you miserable. [3] Taoists believe that everyone is part of the great infinite they call "Tao". noone has any right to hurt or destroy anyone else because they are part of that infinity also. To hurt anyone is to turn against the great infinite and hurt it also. [4] A student asked his Monk to teach him Martial Arts. The Monk said "Be patient. you must first l;earn philosophy.". The impatient student persisted in his request. The Monk finally said " If you solve a philosophical addage, I will teach you.". the student agreed. The Monk asked "What is the sound of one hand clapping?". the student thought for hours. The Monk finally asked "Have you solved my question?". The student said "Not yet.". the Monk said "You must first be dead to understand it.". The student fell to the ground and pretended o be dead. After a few minutes the Monk asked "Do you know the answer yet?". The student said "Not yet.". the Monk said "Dead men do not speak. Go now.". Meaning of this story: The best way to learn is with patience.