An ancient master named 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: “Why did the master cried on his deathbed, ‘Ouch! Ouch! I feel awful’ although he would ordinarily say, ‘Fine! Fine!’?”
Master: “To show off his pillow.”
Commentary:
Don’t mistake your foolishness for the master’s dementia.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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