An Outsider Questions the Buddha

An Outsider Questions the Buddha

An outsider asked the World-Honoured One, “I am not asking you about the spoken. I am not asking you about the unspoken.”

The World-Honoured One remained silent.

The outsider said in admiration, “The greatly compassionate World-Honoured One has cleared the cloud of doubt and let me enter the Way.” He bowed and left. Ananda said to the Buddha, “What point did he realise that he admired you?” The World-Honoured One said, “He was like a fine horse that starts running upon seeing the shadow of the whip.”

Student: “What was the shadow of the whip the World-Honoured One said the outsider had seen?”
Master: “The World-Honoured One had shown not only the shadow of the whip but also the whip to Ananda numerous times before.”
Student: “Why didn’t Ananda see it even though he was together with the outsider?”
Master: “Ananda’s not seeing is none of your business. Why don’t you see it now?”

Commentary:
How could one who can’t see even the whip in his hand see the whip swished by others?

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

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