Unusual excitement reverberated through the Monastery corridors this morning. In Buddha Hall was seated a monk who had arrived just before dawn. He was dressed in oyster white robes and had long flowing hair. He was there to tell the monks how to find Milky Waterfall.
Milky Waterfall was a mysterious, undiscovered, highly secretive waterfall located on the mountain. It was said that if you ever stood under the Milky Waterfall, your sins would be washed away forever. That was the equivalent of 50 years of meditation practice being realized at once.
The Monk was rumoured to know the place. The challenge was that he would only answer that question which was worthy of finding Milky Waterfall. Else he would remain silent. He wanted worthy seekers to find the Waterfall. This morning, he had restricted himself to five questions.
All the monks gathered in Buddha Hall and began to politely ask the Monk their question.
Knowledge Monk asked, “Monk Sir, if we meditate in the mountain forest, will we get to know where is the Waterfall ?”
The Monk smiled.
Truthful Monk said, “Sir, is it in the north? That’s what I’ve heard.”
The Monk closed his eyes.
Business Monk said, “Respected Monk, if you tell us I will donate all my wealth to charity.”
The Monk did not react.
Angry Monk growled and said, “Monk, you should be helping people, not frustrating them. Don’t become secretive yourself.”
The Monk grinned.
Only one question remained so the monks nudged Head Monk to try.
Head Monk bowed to the Monk, to Buddha and to Sensei and softly said, “Respected Monk Sir, have you seen the secret Milky Waterfall?”
The Monk smiled, laughed, clapped twice and began to speak. He said, “No I haven’t. And no one else has, because there is no secret Milky Waterfall. I have spent all my life playing this role to teach people that there is no secret waterfall or shortcut to anything. Chasing secrets is the passion of the foolish.”
The Monk paused, clapped twice again and said, “If you want realisation, understand that a secret is nothing but effort waiting for action.”
*****