When a monk was making a farewell speech, master Daeja said, “Where are you going?” The monk said, “I am going to Gang-seo.” The master asked, “Can you take me?” The monk answered, “I cannot take even one who is superior to you, not to mention you.”
Student: “Why can’t the monk take the master?”
Master: “Because he degrades the master to a sentient being if he takes him.”
When another monk was making a farewell speech the next day, master Daeja said, “Where are you going?” The monk said, “I am going to Gang-seo.” The master asked, “Can you take me?” The monk answered, “Of course, I can take even one who is inferior to you as well as you.” The master said, “I am so old now that I cannot walk such a long way. How are you going to take me when you don’t have money to hire a horse and cart?” The monk answered, “Don’t be worried. I will take you in comfort.”
Student: “The master is too old to walk such a long way. You said that the former monk wouldn’t take him lest he should degrade him. How can the monk take the old master such a long way in comfort without degrading him to a sentient being?”
Master: “His going is the master’s going.”
Commentary:
The Buddha is always with you although he never moves at all.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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