Don't Hug Your Sufferings
A teacher of esotericism made it a point to teach by just writing on the blackboard. One day, he entered the classroom and wrote six sentences on the blackboard:
Stop loving your suffering. Stop enjoying your persecution. Stop adoring your anxiety.
Stop cherishing your resentment. Stop glorifying your failure.
If you want spiritual rebirth, give up your love for such foolishness.
QUESTIONS
1. What did the teacher really mean?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. The teacher simply meant that one may think that people want to end their suffering and persecution, but the fact is that they fight like tigers to keep them.
2. People enjoy their suffering because suffering provides an excuse for egotism. The sufferer is able to remain the center of both, his own attention and the attention of others.
A Lesson For Every Wife
Nathaniel Hawthorne had a great job at the customs. He had, however, one great passion in life and that was to write. One day, he lost his job at the customs and went back home disheartened and depressed. But a surprise awaited him at home.
His wife told him, I always knew that you were a man of genius, and someday you would write an immortal masterpiece. Now, you can write your book.
Out of the money you gave me, I have saved a sufficient amount to support our family. With his wife’s support and encouragement, he went on to write.
QUESTIONS
1. What did he write?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. He wrote a masterpiece like his wife had predicted — ‘The Scarlet Letter’.
2. In times of lows and depressions, encouragement from a wife can do wonders for the husband. Hawthorne was fortunate to have had such a wife.
Serve People In Dire Need
Once upon a time, in the land of Japan, there was Tetsugen, a student of Zen, who once resolved on a mighty undertaking — the printing of 7,000 copies of sutras which, till then were available only in Chinese.
He traveled the length and breadth of Japan to collect funds for this project. Some wealthy people offered him a hundred pieces of gold, while a few gave him small amounts, but he expressed equal gratitude to each donor regardless of the sum given.
After ten long years of travel, he finally collected the funds Essential for the task. Just then, the river Uji overflowed and thousands were left without
food and shelter. Tetsugen spent all his project money to help these people. Then, he began the work of raising funds again.
Again, it was several years before he got the money he needed. Then an epidemic spread over the country. So Tetsugen once again gave away all his project money to help the suffering ones.
Once again, he set out on his travel and twenty years later, his dream finally came true.
The printing block that produced this first edition of the sutras is on display at the Obaku Monastery in Kyoto.
The Japanese tell their children that Tetsugen got out three editions of the sutras in all.
QUESTIONS
1. What are the first two editions?
2. What is the implication of this story
?
ANSWERS
1. The first two editions are the monetary help he offered to people rendered distraught by the flood and the epidemic.
They are considered invisible editions of the book, which are far superior to the third one.
2. Serving people in dire need is superior to bringing out books of scriptures.
Exclusively For Lawyers
Once, a Springfield farmer got into difficulty with a neighbor about the line between their farms. From a small insignificant argument,
it became a major issue. He went up to Lincoln to file a case against his neighbor. Surprisingly, his neighbor too came to Lincoln with the same intention of filing a case against him. Lincoln said to both of them,
“If you go on fighting like this, it will entail enmity that will last for generations and that is not good. Therefore, it is better to settle your dispute out of court and work out a compromise.”
Both the farmers were adamant and did not like the idea of compromise.
Ultimately, Lincoln made them compromise and settled the issue out of court.
QUESTIONS
1. How did Lincoln manage to settle the dispute?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. When Lincoln found that they were not in a mood to compromise, he told them, “Why don’t you two sit
in my office while I attend to a man outside. In the meantime, you can settle your dispute amicably. To secure you from any interruption, I will lock the door as well.”
He locked the room and did not return till afternoon. The two men were left alone in the room. They did not know what to do and started conversing with each other.
In the process, they realized that a compromise was the best solution. By the time Lincoln returned, the matter was settled.
This shows Lincoln’s large-heartedness. Instead of having an eye on money, he had the heart to help his clients. Lawyers in general could emulate his example.
Destruction Is The Task Of Children
Once upon a time, the Buddha was walking past a jungle which was said to be under the rule of an evil bandit called Angulimal.
Unfortunately, the Buddha was caught before he could make it through and was threatened with death by the bandit.
Unfortunately, the Buddha was caught before he could make it through and was threatened with death by the bandit.
“Then be good enough to grant me two wishes before killing me,” said the Buddha. “First, cut off the branch of that tree,” he said, pointing towards a nearby tree. One slash of
the sword and it was done! “What next?” asked the bandit.
QUESTIONS
1. What was the second wish of the Buddha?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. “Put it back again,” said the Buddha. The bandit laughed. You must be crazy to believe that anyone could do that.
“On the contrary, you are crazy to
think you are powerful because you can give wound and destroy.
2. Growth takes place in silence. Destruction is always followed by the loud noise. Construction of a building is a process of silence.
The destruction of a building is followed by a thunderous sound. Growth takes time, as the growth of a tree. Destruction occurs in no time like that of cutting down a tree.
The destruction of a building is followed by a thunderous sound. Growth takes time, as the growth of a tree. Destruction occurs in no time like that of cutting down a tree.
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