One day there was an earthquake that shook all of Japan and parts of a renowned Zen temple collapsed. Many of the monks were terrified.

When the earthquake stopped the teacher said, "Now you have had the opportunity to see how a Zen man behaves in a crisis situation. You may have noticed that I did not panic. I was quite aware of what was happening and what to do. I led you all to the kitchen, the strongest part of the temple. It was a good decision, because you see we have all survived without any injuries. However, despite my self-control and composure, I did feel a little bit tense - which you may have deduced from the fact that I drank a large glass of water, something I never do under ordinary circumstances."

One of the monks smiled, but didn't say anything.

"What are you laughing at?" asked the teacher.

"That wasn't water," the monk replied, "it was a large glass of soy sauce."

I don't mean to make light of the tragic events in Japan over this weekend, but I am reminded that life along a seismically active subduction zone has long influenced Zen traditions. Zen Master Dogen once said, "Our life changes moment by moment, it flows by swiftly every day. Everything is impermanent and changes rapidly. This is the reality before our eyes. You do not need to wait for the teaching of masters or sutras to see it. In every moment, do not expect tomorrow will come. Think only of this day and this moment. Since the future is very much uncertain, you cannot foresee what will happen, you should resolve to follow the Buddha-Way, if only for today, while you are alive."

Impermanence has asserted itself forcibly upon the Japanese mainland, and if a picture's worth a thousand words, let us contemplate a thousand pictures - or at least a couple dozen - to try and grasp the magnitude and the nature of this tragedy.

The Zen Inspiration blog lists several charities and ways to provide disaster assistance.

Meanwhile, over in Libya:

Is it just me, or does that last picture look like it should be a Nike ad?