2 monks have gone on a pilgrimage. a few days into their trip, they come to a river. on the bank of the river stands a visibly distressed woman. one monk asked her what was wrong...she then says that the river is too deep and strong for her to cross. he picks her up and carries her across. the monks go on their way. a few days later, the other monk finally says "i cant believe you did that, youre a monk and you touched a woman." the other monk then replies "i put her down 3 days ago, why are you still carrying her?"
what does this story mean to you
2006-10-18 11:11:08 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The first monk did the right think by helping her
Three days later, the other monk was still judging him, and dwelling on the fact that he touched a woman.
2006-10-18 11:13:30 · answer #1 · answered by Chris C 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, that is an old Zen story. Zen is about letting go of all that holds you back--your attachments, your fears. The problem in the story wasn't that the monk touched a woman (forbidden in those times), but that the other monk continued to carry the experience with him. His original inhibitions prevented him from using compassion on the woman--compassion is a central tenet of Zen. Then he failed to let the experience go--it kept him dwelling in the past, not living in the present moment.
I like it, it's one of my favorite stories.
2006-10-18 18:17:10 · answer #2 · answered by rabid_scientist 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a monk carried a woman across a river 1 time 3 days ago...his friend that was with him is still carring her in his mind...
A monk may be conveniently defined as a member of a community of men, leading a more or less contemplative life apart from the world, under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience...
2006-10-18 18:19:31 · answer #3 · answered by GyVuPhaYs 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The monk that chastized the other monk was holding anger inside him and not letting it go.
He should have addressed the problem at the time it arose and not carried it around so long and allow the evil of anger to exist between him and his brother.
He accused the monk of committing a sin even though the sin was committed to minister true Christian charity to someone who was in need.
2006-10-18 18:15:01 · answer #4 · answered by sworddove 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well one can take it as a joke or more metaphoricaly (sorry bad spelling). The second being that the first monk came to terms with what he did and got over it and the second monk is still complaining about it and carring the weight of it. I think maybe it was a joke, it was funny to me =)
2006-10-18 18:15:17 · answer #5 · answered by balmung2@verizon.net 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it means the second monk is accusing the first one because he is feeling guilty.
it's the same as the old lady that sits at her front window watching everything everyone else does. Every time she sees someone doing something she disapproves of she puts a pebble in a bucket she has next to her...
When she dies she cant' go to heaven cause her pebbles are holding her down.......
2006-10-18 18:13:09 · answer #6 · answered by USMCstingray 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The answer makes that an ok question, for those able to think around a corner....unlke me...
2006-10-18 18:16:09 · answer #7 · answered by TCFKAYM 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely nothing. I was looking for the punch line.
2006-10-18 18:13:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Could be analogies to christians declaring who's going to hell today.
2006-10-18 18:17:46 · answer #9 · answered by tammidee10 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
MUCH is in THE MIND!
((Oldies- can be goodies!))
2006-10-18 18:13:10 · answer #10 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋