The Gate

In Soseki's The Gate (Mon), the lonely hero goes to a Zen temple in an attempt to find solace in religion, but fails.

He had come to the gate and asked to have it opened. The bar was on the other side and when he knocked, no one came. He heard a voice saying, "Knocking will do you no good. Open it yourself." He stood there and wondered how he could open it. He thought clearly of a plan, but he could not find the strength to put it into effect....He looked behind him at the path that had led him to the gate. He lacked the courage to go back. He then looked at the great gate which would never open for him. He was never meant to pass through it. Nor was he meant to be content until he was allowed to do so. He was, then, one of the unfortunate beings who must stand by the gate, unable to move, and patiently waiting for the day to end.

(Excerpt from Edwin McClellan's introduction in Natsume Soseki's Grass on the Wayside, translated by Edwin McClellan)