Zen story: The koan of the throne
By emptychair
@innertalks (23525)
Australia
January 19, 2026 8:06pm CST
The old Zen master had died, and he went up to Heaven, where the doorkeeper there, gave him a koan to solve, before he could get in.
The doorkeeper said to him,
"You solved many an Earthly koan while alive, but can you solve this heavenly one."
"If God sits on a throne, who built his throne for him?"
The Old Zen master took in a long breath, and sighed,
"Why, I built it for God, as all who follow God, help him to build his throne."
And, with that answer, he was let in.
Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com
We can help God build his kingdom, by acknowledging his presence in our life.
4 people like this
4 responses
@Shiva49 (27838)
• Singapore
20 Jan
I think of our role as cocreators however small our contributions are
God will be happy that we are putting our shoulders to the wheel of creation.
The Zen master had the confidence to say it aloud, mabe within earshot of God himself, so that God is mightily pleased. He needs good talents too in heaven so that he can delegate more and concentrate on other actvities that are beyond our ken.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23525)
• Australia
20 Jan
Yes, I am sure his Zen training will be useful in Heaven too.
God lets in to Heaven, all who have helped contribute to his efforts, while living, and have not just burdened him with their heavy load, that they expect God, and others, to carry for them.
Everyone, must let go of their Earthly load before entering Heaven, as all we can take into Heaven is our soul, not all of the medals, that we have placed on our own chest, from bogus treasure chests.
@innertalks (23525)
• Australia
21 Jan
@Shiva49 When God's ways become our ways, all will be right then with the world.
The only way to live in God's way is to love as God loves, as much as we can do so.
@Shiva49 (27838)
• Singapore
21 Jan
@innertalks Yes, some take it for granted that God will clean up after our exit to prepare for the next stage entirely with a new set of players who are better wired than us and less of hypocrites. It is possible some of us can get into that elite team!
The nuclear waste seems to be quite daunting but God has his ways to get the job done.
On our part, we can individually show our gratitude to our creator by living an honorable life.
Collectively we are short-changed by a few who matter.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (117801)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
20 Jan
That is true that God assists us in having a happy life upon obeying His laws.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23525)
• Australia
20 Jan
Yes, if we neglect God, we can never truly live a happy, or a worthwhile, life.
@innertalks (23525)
• Australia
21 Jan
Everything is a part of everything else too, and so everything affects everything.
Spiritual progress encompasses embracing love actively, and connecting to the overall source of that love, to God too.
@mytunemagic (255)
•
25 Jan
Only those who have in them the bit of God that says 'you and I are One' are let in. God is not separate from any one....when this realization will dawn, earth will turn into heaven.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23525)
• Australia
25 Jan
Yes, if anything was separate from God, God could not be God.
