Hi Anita,

Sorry, that was the, whole story. It was just to show what some value more. What would be the wisdom in this story?
Make a choice between being in love and being a monk? Monks are not suppose to have romantic entanglements.
Was it love or just desire. Seeing a pretty girl and having the desire to have the girl?
Was it truly love if one needs to hide it from others?
I believe that nothing good grows in the dark except for mushrooms??

Not sure if I need to preface this story. But, just in case not everyone knows the conditions of studying under a Zen master, there is the shaving of the head as a symbol of letting go of normal life and its ties. No sex, no drugs, no alcohol allowed.

So, in this place, there were twenty something monks and one nun studying under a Zen master. The nun was very pretty even with a shaved head. And though dressed in plain monks clothes, she had many monks secretly fall in love with her. One such monk wrote her a letter insisting on a secret meeting. She did not reply. The next day the Zen master gave a lecture to the group. When it was over, she stood up and said out loud to the one who had written to her, “If you really love me so much, come and embrace me now.”

So, if the monk were to show his love for her then he would have been expelled from the group. Usually, I do not like to comment on the story. But, figured it needed to be surrounded by the caution that is felt by the monk.

Can’t say that I would have been a monk though. Personally, I believe in loving openly. That is how I met my met my wife. I honestly showed how I felt from the beginning. And it turned out good. Well at least I think so. I will have to ask my wife if it turned out ok.

That leads me to think about another story which I think most people know about.

The westerner has asked to meet a Zen master to ask about Zen Buddhism.
The Zen master agrees to a meeting.
When the westerner arrives at the Zen master place. He is greeted by the Zen master.
And asked him to sit down. Then he begins to pour tea into the cup in front of the westerner.
The cup becomes full and then start to over flow the cup.
The westerner says the cup is full no more will go in.
The Zen master then says that the westerner’s mind is like the teacup.
It is full (of preconceived ideas) so no more will go in.

Simply that Zen is usually straight forward with its wisdom.
It punches thru nonsense.
If one’s mind is full of something then how can one learn?
Traveling monk mind and disciple mind are full.
Sorry, for me, everything is a learning experience.

I am so glad you enjoyed the story.
I hope you share it with others and it brings a smile or two.

Hi Alessa,

It is true that we should not abandon the good in life because we have seen suffering. Thank you.

Hi Peter,

I am glad you liked the story. I heard it a long time ago but it stays with me.

“Our schoolmaster used to take a nap every afternoon,” related a student. We students asked him why he took naps. And he told us, “I go to meet the old sages just as Confucius did. When Confucius slept, he would dream of old sages and later tell his followers about them.”

One day, so some of us took an afternoon nap. Our schoolmaster scolded us. We explained, “We went to meet the old sages the same as Confucius did”. The schoolmaster asked, “What did the old sages say?” We answered, “We went to met the old sages and asked them if our schoolmaster came there every afternoon, but they said they have never seen any such fellow.”

Two men visited an abbot at a monastery at different times. The first man said, “I am thinking of moving to this town. What is it like?” The abbot asked, “What was it like in your old town?” The first man responded, “It was terrible. Everyone was full of hatred. I did not like it there.”

The abbot said, “This town is very much the same. I do not think you should move here.”

The first man left and the second man came in.

The second man said, “I am thinking of moving to this town. What is it like?” The abbot asked, “What was your old town like?” The second man responded, “It was wonderful. Everyone was nice and friendly. I was happy. Now, I just wanted a change of scenery.”

The abbot said, “This town is very much the same. I think you will like it here.”

Hi Tee and Anita,

Glad this thread was one that brought a smile. Happy new years everyone. May you have a smile all year long.

Thank you all for the Christmas wishes. I hope everyone will have a better new year.