Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than for March 13, 2023
March 06, 2023
March 20, 2023
Transcript:
Two monks, a younger acolyte and an older priest, were traveling to the village of Sui-Shen, to assist in the Moon Festival there. On their way, they came upon a rushing stream, with a beautiful young lady in Moon Festival finery, fretting at the stream's edge. Oh, please, good Monks! Won't you carry me on your back over the stream so that I do not ruin my festival dress? No! Not possible our order forbids us to tough the flesh of females. To the shock of the younger Monk, the older priest smiled... Of course my dear, please hop up on my back and I will carry you across. The older Monk dutifully carried the young lady across the stream, and set her gently down on the other side. The girl thanked the Older priest profusely, and then made her way to the Festival. While walking towards the village, the youthful acolyte fumed and internally raged until he could take it no longer. Elder Brother! How dare you carry that woman across that stream, when your order prohibits that? Younger sibling... I put the girl down on the other side of the stream. Why are you still carrying her?
FreyjaRN Premium Member over 1 year ago
I love this! The elder monk chose compassion. I think we’re in short supply of that at present.
markkahler52 over 1 year ago
Yes….
Vet Premium Member over 1 year ago
The young monk still has much to learn.
chollacat Premium Member over 1 year ago
This is one of my favorite stories of all time, beautifully illustrated! Thank you, Zen Pencils!
Rich Douglas over 1 year ago
Reminiscent of the Two Arrows. The first arrow that hits you represents something bad that happens to you. It hurts.
The second arrow is the suffering YOU CHOOSE to endure—the bad feelings that linger long after the effect of the first arrow has faded. We hang on too long to the bad feelings associated with things that happen to us.