Guru - The Receptive Mind

[Guest guest]

A mendicant once came to the Buddha and said, “Bhagvan! I have neither

intelligence nor skill nor any kind of semantic ability. So I am not

even in a position to frame a proper enquiry. If however you consider

me deserving, say something of your own accord, which you deem

appropriate for me. The Buddha was silent for a few moments. And so

was the saddhu. All the bhikshus (monks) present there kept looking at

them in curiosity. Suddenly tears began to flow from the eyes of the

sadhu. He prostrated himself before the Buddha and said in gratitude,

“Bhagvan! How merciful are you! Today I have become blessed.†And

dancing and singing in joy, he departed. The disciples were

nonplussed. Not a word had been uttered by the Buddha.

 

What could possibly have happened in the life of the sadhu?

 

Anand went to the Buddha and enquired, “Bhagvan! We all are at a loss.

There was no dialogue, no question-answer. What then transpired

between you two that totally satisfied the sadhu? We have been living

with you for years now, but nothing of that sort ever happenedâ€.

 

The Buddha broke his silence, “Anand! There are four types of horses.

Firstly, the obstinate ones who remain completely unmoved even when

lashed. The more you hit them, the more unyielding they become. The

second type moves only when whipped. The third starts walking at the

very sound of a whip lashing. But for the fourth type the mere sight

of a whip is sufficient incentive. This sadhu was one such soul. He

just needed a spur. It was communicated by my mind; it was received by

his mind. The minds of you people, on the other hand, are like those

obstinate horses; they remain stuck even after repeated whipping.â€

 

The disciples understood. If the guru is approached with a fully

receptive mind, everything can be had without asking.