A monk asked Master Woongeo, “What should monastics do?” The master said, “They should stay in a mountain.” The monk bowed to him to indicate that he understood. The master asked him, “How do you understand my answer?” The monk said, “A monastic, just like a mountain, should not be swayed by the phenomena of good and bad, and life and death.” Hearing it, the master, hitting him, said, “You are forsaking ancient masters and spoiling our offspring.”
Student: “What was wrong with the monk?”
Master: “He was blocking the way to the mountain by planting thorn-bushes.”
Commentary:
There is no good and bad, and no life and death in the mountain.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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