Yuan Hsie lived in squalor in Lu, while Tse Kung amassed great wealth in Wei. Within a short time span, both killed themselves. A disciple asked his master, “Master, why did both these men choose to end their lives?” The master replied, “Poverty galled the one, and riches caused uneasiness in the other. So you see disciple Chan, poverty will not do nor wealth either.” Disciple Chan said, “But what then will do master?” “What will do is to enjoy life and take one’s ease, for those who know how to enjoy life are not poor, and he that lives at ease requires no riches” answered the master.
As to the co-existence of Taoism and Zen, look no further than the words of the great Zen scholar, Professor D.T. Suzuki, who said, "To ask a question about Zen is to ask a question about the Tao."
