A Simple Question...A Zen Story

[Guest guest]

A SIMPLE QUESTION

 

Once there was a monk who was an expert

on the Diamond Sutra, and as books were

very valuable in his day, he carried the

only copy in his part of the world on his

back.

 

He was widely sought after for his readings

and insight into the Diamond Sutra, and very

successful at propounding its profundities to

not only monks and masters but to the lay

people as well. Thus the people of that region

came to know of the Diamond Sutra, and as the

monk was traveling on a mountain road, he came

upon an old woman selling tea and cakes.

 

The hungry monk would have loved to refresh

himself, but alas, he had no money. He told the

old woman, " I have upon my back a treasure beyond

knowing — the Diamond Sutra. If you will give me

some tea and cakes, I will tell you of this great

treasure of knowledge. "

 

The old woman knew something of the Diamond Sutra

herself, and proposed her own bargain. She said,

" Oh learned monk, if you will answer a simple

question, I will give you tea and cakes. "

 

To this the monk readily agreed. The woman then

said, " When you eat these cakes, are you eating with

the mind of the past, the mind of the present or the

mind of the future? "

 

No answer occurred to the monk, so he took the pack

from his back and got out the text of the Diamond

Sutra, hoping he could find the answer. As he studied

and pondered, the day grew late and the old woman

packed up her things to go home for the day.

 

" You are a foolish monk indeed, " said the old woman

as she left the hungry monk in his quandary. " You eat

the tea and cakes with your mouth. "

[Guest guest]

LOL... (laugh out loud)

That was such a good one d x x x

thanks for the giggle

elektra x x x