The Simple Way
The Life & Teachings of Zhouzi
by Scott Bradley
The Life & Teachings of Zhouzi
by Scott Bradley
A delegation of monks from a distant monastery came before Zhouzi and said, “Master, your fame has spread widely yet we remain still ignorant of the way that you teach.”
“Then you know it without knowing it, for it is ignorance I teach. But pray, please tell me more of this fame. What is its nature that it has urged to to come?”
“It is but a vague rumbling of a teaching so successful that hopeful disciples must be turned away.”
“The barbarian hordes swell ever so more, yet ‘fame’ is not a word used to describe their success. Yet it is true what you say that many are turned away, for our community is remedial and for the slower of wit, and those who are quicker need none of our help. For the teaching is easy and the methods are none. A squirrel can crack its nut just where it is found, but some are more fearful and must retreat to a tree.”
“What then, Master, is this ignorance you teach?”
“That ignorance is not a lack, but a yawning, open gate.”
Since Zhouzi would say no more, the frustrated visitors later inquired of an elder who said, “There is nothing to know or believe, do or become. All that remains is surrender in trust.”
“Yet is not surrender something to ‘do’?”
“That which does, can never surrender,” replied the elder. “Surrender happens. Just like life.”
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.
"A squirrel can crack its nut just where it is found, but some are more fearful and must retreat to a tree"
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome.