Buddha’s Begging Bowl
One day the World-Honoured One said to Ananda, “It is getting close to mealtime. You should go to town with the begging bowl.”
Ananda accepted his request.
The World-Honoured One said, “When you go begging with the bowl, you follow the manner of the Past Seven Buddhas.”
Ananda said, “What is the manner of the Past Seven Buddhas?”
The Buddha said, “Ananda!”
Ananda responded, “Yes, Master.”
The Buddha said, “Go begging.”
Student: “Why did the Buddha just call ‘Ananda’ and tell him to go begging instead of answering his question ‘What is the manner of the Past Seven Buddhas?’?”
Master: “In order to show him the manner of the Past Seven Buddhas.”
Student: “I still don’t understand it. What is the manner of the Past Seven Buddhas?”
Master: “Don’t disgrace the Past Seven Buddhas.”
Commentary:
The true-Self looks different every moment because it has no fixed form.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 