Yesterday, a Guest Monk from a nearby shrine visited the Monastery. Sensei treated everyone for a leisurely walk around a large pond located on the western side of the Monastery. The day was sunny and a light wind blew across the water. Sensei suggested that the group look into the pond, as they walked around it.
A few minutes later, Sensei asked the monks, “What did you see?”
Proud Monk immediately said, “Sensei, I saw my reflection!”
Sensei nodded.
Truthful Monk said, “I saw small fish, tadpoles, weeds and some rocks.”
Humble Monk bowed and said, “I saw ripples on the water… they looked divine..”
Sensei smiled at them.
Angry Monk grumbled and said, “I saw that Sensei was setting up a trick question.”
Sensei giggled and looked at Honest Monk for his reply.
Honest Monk breathed in deeply and said, “Sensei, I am not confident of my answer. Let me say that I saw nothing…”
Sensei smiled and waved at Guest Monk and Head Monk for their replies.
Guest Monk said, “I saw water.”
Sensei nodded slowly.
Head Monk bowed to Sensei and to Guest Monk and said, “Sensei, I saw a Pond.”
Sensei broke into a big smile, clapped three times and said, “What we see is our state of mind. One has to look past the ego, objects, self-doubt, the mundane and keep looking for entirety. Only when you see the whole is when you see Reality…”
*****