The Simple Way, Part 31

The Simple Way
The Life & Teachings of Zhouzi
by Scott Bradley

When an attractive young woman from a nearby village entered the hall, causing an uproar among the youngest of the assembled monks, Zhouzi shouted for silence, then asked her, “What do you seek?”

“The same as all these here assembled,” she replied.

“And why should you not?” answered Zhouzi. “But as you can see, so great is their bondage to the dragons within, they quail at your presence as if a tiger had entered the hall. But please, for the moment, take my seat here, while I address these fettered monks.”

When, to the murmurs of many, she had seated herself in the Master’s seat, he addressed them all saying, “If a woman causes your heart to quail, the problem is yours alone and has nothing to do with her. This woman is our equal in every way, whatever convention might deem to say. And though in the wider world we are obliged to follow the conventions of men, within this community we will do no such thing.” Then, turning to the woman, he said, “Thank you for coming, for just your presence has taught us so much. Please now wander in our garden or where you please, and when you see these monks coming, come and we will talk beneath the courtyard tree.”

When the woman had left the hall, Zhouzi took his seat and shouted, “Speak!” When none did so, he nodded at one and again shouted, “Speak!”

“Master,” replied the reluctant monk, “though I admit that the woman is not to blame, her presence causes defilements to arise in my heart.”

“Defilements!?” shouted Zhouzi. “And what might these defilements be?!”

Reddening, the monk replied, “Master, unclean thoughts.”

“Unclean thoughts!?” Zhouzi exclaimed. “And what precisely might these be?”

“Master! Thoughts of a sexual nature!” blurted the wriggling monk.

“What! Thoughts of a sexual nature!?” exclaimed Zhouzi. “One would almost think you were a healthy young man! Yet how could you be healthy if you deny what you are? But please, I would know, what is ‘unclean’ about Nature and how is Tao a ‘defilement’?”

“Master, it is what I’ve been taught. But now I see that it divides the world and brings war to my heart,” answered the monk.

“Indeed, it does,” replied Zhouzi. “So now please go find a quiet place to relieve yourself, and when you are finished, offer up thanks.”

“Master!” exclaimed the red-faced monk, “The desire has now left me, please permit me to stay!”

Before dismissing the assembly, Zhouzi laughed and said, “A ‘cure’ has been found for the desires of men!”

If you're interested in reading more from this series by Scott Bradley, go here. To check out more of Scott's writings, please visit TRT's shadow blog and look in the Table of Contents in the left sidebar.