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November 16, 2002
Searching for Buddha ~ Spiritual
"A monk set off on a long pilgrimage to find the Buddha. He devoted many years to his search until he finally reached the land where the Buddha was said to live. While crossing the river to this country, the monk looked around as the boatman rowed. He noticed something floating towards them. As it got closer, he realized that it was the corpse of a person. When it drifted so close that he could almost touch it, he suddenly recognized the dead body - it was his own! He lost all control and wailed at the sight of himself, still and lifeless, drifting along the river's currents. That moment was the beginning of his liberation."
Taken from Zen Stories to Tell Your Neighbors.
Posted at 8:50 PM
4 Comment(s)
If liberation has a beginning it also has an end.
Posted by David at November 17, 2002 1:50 AM
If liberation has indeed an end, then when is that moment exactly? Is it finally attained while we are living, re-living, dying or re-dying? Take your pick.
Posted by Kiffin at November 17, 2002 9:58 AM
Liberation is a false notion. There is here and there is not here. We are mostly not here, but to be here requires nothing special, nor does it have a beginning nor an ending.
As is often the case, the Zen story points you to a conclusion that is really intended to remind you of something else.
Posted by Brian at November 18, 2002 5:04 PM
And the cryptic conclusion which is supposed to remind us of something else might be the following: "Live life each day as if it is your very last." Wait a minute, that is too obvious and very mysterious at all. Oh well, I guess I am just your average boring Westerner trying to figure things out like they were always supposed to be.
Posted by Kiffin at November 18, 2002 6:25 PM
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