Two Zen Stories with LIFE Lessons for Reflection

1. Just Two Story To
Words Reflect
Upon 81
There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of
silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception
to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just
two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one
monk went to the head monk. "It has been ten years," said the head
monk. "What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Bed... hard..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk's office. "It has
been ten more years," said the head monk. "What are the two words
you would like to speak?"
"Food... stinks..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the
head monk who asked, "What are your two words now, after these ten
years?"
"I... quit!" said the monk.
"Well, I can see why," replied the head monk. "All you ever do is
complain."
Points For Reflection
* Is it our habit to complain, complain and complain ? There are times
when we have to make the best of the circumstances or situation we are
in . Learn to count our blessings and the good things that we have.
Remember that in Samsara, nothing is perfect.
* Patience, tolerance and forbearance are great virtues to develop.
Without these, we often give up on many things that we start upon to do
… Dhamma study, outreach work (Dana), meditation and so on.
* There is a saying : “There’s no gain without pain!” The Path of
Dhamma Practice and cultivation is a struggle …it entails much effort,
discipline, sacrifice and commitment. Remember Siddharta Gautama
struggled for 6 long years before Enlightenment ….and he was a
Bodhisattva with good paramis ! Reflecting on this, we know that we,
defiled worldlings have even to struggle more !

2. TRANSIENT Story To
Reflect
Upon 82
A famous spiritual teacher came to the front door of the
King's palace. None of the guards tried to stop him as he
entered and made his way to where the King himself was
sitting on his throne.
"What do you want?" asked the King, immediately
recognizing the visitor.
"I would like a place to sleep in this inn," replied the
teacher.
"But this is not an inn," said the King, "It is my palace."
"May I ask who owned this palace before you?"
"My father. He is dead."
"And who owned it before him?"
"My grandfather. He too is dead."
"And this place where people live for a short time and then
move on - did I hear you say that it is NOT an inn?"
Points For Reflection
*We are ALL here for just a short time, and then move on.
Reflecting on this, shouldn’t we realize a sense of urgency
to practise Dhamma before it is too late? Doesn’t it make
sense to develop our virtues and cut our defilements of
greed, hatred and delusion in this very short life of ours?
* Our true wealth does not lie in our material possessions
or in the people we love or attach to. We live and die and
never really own anything. How many people today think
about this deeply? Too many people entrench themselves
in their possessions and positions.
*What is our true wealth? It is our Kamma and the Kamma
potential we store up in this fleeting life that will follow us
from life to life. When we reflect on this, we should waste
no more time to practise Dana, Sila and Bhavana the best
we can.