Appreciate our Imperfections, Cherish our Transgressions

"The more interesting point for me is the one about the red thread - that everyone has some sainthood possible, and that the unfolding of their goodness might sometimes be through their transgressions, through what is wild and imperfect in them. Issan seems never for an instant to have thought of his life or his death as a tragedy. The point of this koan might be found in truly living your life rather than living it perfectly or even respectably."

By John Tarrant, from "Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And other Zen Koans to Bring You Joy"