Being a novice,he was always afraid to ask questions in a forum to the teacher. Today an interesting thing happened.
It was circle time at the Monastery. All the disciples were seated around the Master. Amongst the disciples were the Terrific Trio. They always had the most thought provoking questions, that amazed the disciples. Every time the Master maintained his composure at the most stupid questions and answered them calmly.The Trio made it a point to cynically accept the advice from the Master and questioned it further another time. The novice monk watched the tug of words between the Master and the trio and wondered."Where do they get the guts to ask such stupid questions and sound intelligent?" It always appeared to him that the Master gave them a lot of respect, when he answered. For the Master,it was not about the observer, but about the observed.He detached the question from the questioner and answered on its merit.In his mind there were no stupid questions, but only stupid minds. Mind you!!! he never believed there were 'stupid' people.The novice monk observed, Mind plays games and overpowers consciousness. Purity of Mind brings sanity to consciousness.
Time passed by, the stupid questions never ceased.A Chinese Military chief passing by, heard about the Master and had stopped for the circle time. The Terrific Trio were in full form. They were intentionally trying to be different and difficult shooting questions at the Master frequently. The Master always used these situations as an opportunity to provide more wisdom to his students. The Master had always looked at the seekers as a whole and not a fraction of three.
Circle time was ending and it was soon going to be meditation time soon.Just before the break, One of the trio complained as usual "The Meditation that you teach us is ineffective".The other two agreed and in a raised tone added "It cannot teach me how to concentrate, much less meditate." "Teach us a more reliable technique". On hearing this the other students tried to explain,how it was working for them. Soon the discussion turned ugly and distressing. Seeing the commotion, the Master raised his hand and that meant silence. Silence it was. The monastery went through a pause.
The teacher then signaled to the Chinese Military chief who then summoned 3 archers. He divided the water from his vessel into 3 glasses and gave it to the Terrific Trio.Handing it over to them, he ordered "Take this cup of water and carry around the entire periphery of this courtyard." Then he looked at the archers and said "Follow them!!!if they drop a single drop shoot them!!!" the archers drew their bows and followed the Trio.In the next 20 minutes they had learned how to concentrate.
"Smart is not about being different, it is about making a difference"
That day the lesson was not for the three but for all the thirty, such was the power of the teacher..calm but decisive in his teachings..
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