Bodhidharma was the Buddhist monk traditionally credited as the founder of Zen Buddhism in China. People said that he was brought before the emperor Wu, who desired to see the wise man and wanted to hear approving words for the pious works he managed. Therefor he asked Bodhidharma:
"We have built temples, multiplied holy writings, converted monks and nuns. Your holiness, is there a certain merit to our behaviour?"
"No merit what so ever."
The distraught emperor was of the opinion that such a reply rejected the teachings and asked:
"What then is the holy truth, the highest principle?"
"That principle is in each thing, nothing is sacred."
"Who are you then, here before me?"
"I don't know majesty."

The Cave
A robber, artist, grabber and wise man were travelling together and found a cave, hidden deep in the rocks.
The robber said: "What a great hiding place!"
The artist said: "What a great space for murals!"
The grabber said: "What a great cavity to hide a treasure!"
But the wise man only said: "What a great cave!"

O!
The zen teacher Haku-In was praised by his neighbors for his pure way of life.
A pretty Japanese girl, that lived next to him with her parents, was expecting a child.
This made the parents furious. The girl didn't want to mention the father's name at first, but finally named Haku-In.
The furious parents went to see the master.
"O!" was his only reply.
After the child was born, it was brought to Haku-In.
Who had because of this incident lost his reputation, which didn't bother him, but he took very
good care of the child. He received milk from his neighbours and everything the child needed.
A year later the girl couldn't contain herself any longer and told her parents the truth,
that the real father was a young man who worked at the fish market.
Her parents immediately went to see Haku-In to ask him for forgiveness,
stuttered a thousand apologies and asked for the child to be returned.
"O!" said Haku-In, as he handed them the child.