When the Buddha was about to pass away, Manjushri entreated Him to show the Dharma again. The Buddha scolded, “Manjushri, not a word have I said for forty-nine years of my stay in this world. You ask me to show the Dharma again. Have I ever revealed the Dharma?”
Student: “The Buddha is said to have been so compassionate that he never failed to give kind and detailed answers to all questions according to each questioner’s capacity to digest his answer. Why did the Buddha scold Manjushri rather than give him a kind answer?”
Master: “The Buddha made a suitable answer according to the questioner’s capacity.”
Commentary:
Whether the Buddha made a suitable answer, or scolded, depends on your capacity.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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