Guest guest Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 A wandering monk said to Buddha, " Without speaking or remaining silent show your way. " Buddha looked at him for a second and faintly smiled. The monk bowed and said, " Thank you, noble sir, for showing me the way. " And after bowing again, left. Ananda asked Buddha, " How can a smile show the way? " Buddha replied, " When the horse is eager to go, even the shadow of a whip gets him moving. " " A shadow is an absence how can it do anything? " replied Ananda. " Are you saying an absence lacks presence? " Asked Buddha. " I guess I am saying that. " " Yet in the heat of noon, you seek the shade of a large tree. How can something that is not there give such relief? " Asked Buddha. Ananda didn't reply to this. " Striking a dead horse with a real whip won't get him moving. Beware of classifying your perceptions as real or unreal, present or absent. When the mind is wholly present (in the present) even the shadow of a whip will get it moving. This is an adaptation, and an expansion by me of a Mumonkan case. The original case is briefer and goes like this: A wandering monk said to Buddha, " Without speaking or remaining silent show your way. " Buddha just looked at him. The monk bowed and said, " Thank you for showing me the way. " And after bowing again, left. Ananda asked Buddha, " What did you show him? " Buddha replied, " When the horse is eager to go, even the shadow of a whip gets him moving. " Or words to that effect. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.