An ancient master Doh-oh would ordinarily say, “Fine! Fine!” But on his deathbed he cried, “Ouch! Ouch! I feel awful. Bring me meat to eat and wine to drink. The King of Hell is coming to catch me.” His assistant monk asked him, “You would say ‘Fine! Fine!’ all the time before. Why do you cry that you feel awful now?” The master responded, “Tell me whether I was right then, or now?” The monk said nothing, and the master, pushing his pillow away, passed away.”
Student: “Which is right ‘Fine! Fine’ or ‘Ouch! Ouch! I feel awful’?”
Master: “Dad is not different from father, and mum is not different from mother.”
Commentary:
Difference makes calamity.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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