The Simple Way, Part 34

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

Since the community’s garden produced more than its needs, the excess was given to the poor who assembled at the gate. Yet soon there arose shanties full of idling poor and violent disputes. Local farmers complained about market loss and magistrates became alarmed at the immigrating poor. Thus the elders decided to suspend the distribution until a solution could be found.

And so, too, there arose great debate among many of the monks as to the nature of man and the best way to govern. For this was the rage of the philosophers of the day.

At this time, when Zhouzi was informed that a prized cow was about to give birth, he called all the youngest monks to observe the event. When finally a new calf stood pulling on a teat, Zhouzi shouted, “Now speak!”

“Miraculous!” shouted a monk.

“Wonderful!” shouted another.

“Messy!” shouted the last.

“A messy miracle! A miraculous mess!” shouted Zhouzi. “Such is life. Let us affirm it as such and not sanitize it, define it and assign it a box.”

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