Guest guest Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 A mendicant ascetic sat down where the Buddha was instructing the monks. He listened attentively until the Buddha finished the sermon and then admonished the Awakened One to return to the life of austerities. The Buddha listened in silence, bowed respectfully, and left without saying a word. Next day, the ascetic attended the sermon and again, reproached the Buddha for his life of ease. Gautama listened in silence and, left without answering. This scene repeated itself every day for a month, until Ananda could not contain himself any longer, and asked the Buddha, " Master, why are you ignoring the questions of that ascetic? " " Ananda, if I answer him he will not understand and will wander off still thinking he is right. My refusal to answer keeps him here listening to us. As soon as he is ready I will speak to him. " Ananda feeling sorry for the ascetic who was by this time visibly hurt and angry by Buddha's silence, approached him next day and said, " Please, noble sir, don't be saddened by my master's silence. He will answer all your questions as soon as you are ready to understand. " The Ascetic laughed with scorn, " It is your master who is learning from me, and who is afraid to answer my questions, but fear not, I'll stay here for as long as it takes to instruct him. " Ananda bowed to him and walked away hardly able to contain his amusement. ;-) Ana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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