Sensei and the monks were walking past some fields this morning. They came across a large field that featured a large fierce looking scarecrow placed in the center.
There were some birds perched on the scarecrow, while others chirped and nibbled away at the crops all over the field.
Sensei asked all the monks to observe the scene and deeply contemplate. Sensei then asked, “Explain to me the role of four characters you see in the field..”
The monks were puzzled. They only saw birds and the scarecrow.
Truthful Monk blurted out, “Sensei, we see only birds and the scarecrow.”
Sensei smiled and said, “See again.”
Many minutes passed by; but none of the monks spoke.
Sensei then beckoned Head Monk to speak.
Head Monk bowed gently to Sensei, then to the monks and to the field.
Head Monk said, “Sensei, the four characters are the birds, the scarecrow, the crops and the missing farmer. I see the birds doing their karma of eating the crops; the crops are performing their karma of being available to be eaten, and the scarecrow is performing his karma of standing still. The farmer has performed his dharma of erecting the scarecrow but that itself is not complete …”
The monks were taken aback when they heard Head Monk’s deep interpretation, and bowed to him.
Sensei was very pleased and clapped three times. Then Sensei said, “Just Dharma alone is not enough. You need Karma to follow your Dharma, and your own Karma can not be delegated to someone else. So be complete in your Dharma and your Karma…”
*****
