Is that so?

[donq]

Is that so?

Today I was thinking about a Zen story:

In the village, there lived a young woman, the daughter of the food sellers. The young woman became pregnant by her boy friend who worked nearby in the fish market. When the parents found out about this, they were very angry and pressured her to reveal the name of the father. She wanted to protect the young man and blurted out the name of the monk Hakuin as the father.
After the baby was born, the parents took the baby to Hakuin. They told Hakuin that he was responsible for the baby and left the infant with him. He responded: “Is that so?” And he simply accepted the responsibility for the child without further reaction.
The monk had no experience with babies. But he began to care for its needs, finding food, clothing, and warm shelter. The other villagers became very angry with Hakuin for his offense and his reputation was trashed. These comments did not affect Hakuin, who continued to put his effort and attention into the care of the baby.
After several years, the young woman was filled with remorse. She confessed to her parents the name of the true father. They immediately went to see Hakuin, apologized, and took the baby back with them. Hakuin watched as they returned to there home with the child he had cared for since birth and replied “Is that so?”

..............................

This reminds me of a (chinese) willow that bends itself in the strong wind so that it would not be broken. And though it's true that, a problem is still a problem if it is not fixed, but sometimes, many times, any solution might become a problem or only makes the already problom getting worse. If I were Hakuin, I might try to explain the truth for the truth sake. Sure, it would be useless as everyone might think that I was just trying to cover I disagree-et.
More than that, if one could accept anything, good or bad, that comes into his path, he would be a very free man. A real happy wanderer!
    

[mojomojo]

Hi Donq,
I love the old Zen stories, they get the message across with such simplicity.
To be able to accept fully, that which comes into one's life, without labelling it good or bad.
To not be effected by that on the outside ( criticism ), but to follow one's true nature, and do the right thing.
To never question that which comes our way.
To be totally free of having to have our truth heard, no matter the outcome.
To be truly compassionate, but no attachment.
Hakuin was a truly wise man.

I might imagine, it would be a totally different story, if it were to happen today.

[donq]

Hi Robert,

When you said, "To be totally free of having to have our truth heard, no matter the outcome.", it was as if you could read my mind. :-)
Recently I've accidentally become the organizer of the translation meetup group here, in my country (the prior organizer had quit and I was asked if I could step up to be a new organizer. I said yes just to keep the group going. And yes, I had to pay monthly for that. lol)  I already arranged a meeting twice (there are about almost 50 members now). As for he first meeting, there were 3 members RSVP but only one of them showed up. The second meeting, there was also one member appeared, me. hahaha
I wonder why they have joined the group in the first place if they never care to attend the meeting. It was not only my group (I've also joined another groups). Some groups have hundreds of members but there were only a few members how attended the meetings. And it happened so many times.   
I didn't expect anything. But I have to confess that I don't want to be in that awkward situation again. If only I could get a refund. lol
This reminds me of a story:
A girl fell aboard. While everyone was crying, a man plunged into the water and saved her. After they were on the ship, the man asked, "Who the hell shoved me away?" 

[mojomojo]

Hi Donq,
I think it is vitally important to read every day,
it should be part of everyone's curriculum.

I read this quote yesterday,

" If one is to drink from the spiritual well,
one should drink deeply,
or,
not at all.


I might imagine, God having the same problem, standing at the gates of heaven.

" Why, no one turn up."

[donq]

Hi Robert,

About the quote:

" If one is to drink from the spiritual well, one should drink deeply, or, not at all."

I have pondered on this for a very long time. On the one hand, it's true that we could not find the best among mediocre (if not low) quality, no matter how hard we try. On the other hand, what if we could accept any quality, low and high, as the same, will that be the answer? (like Hakuin above).  

But again, as the story you told:
I might imagine, God having the same problem, standing at the gates of heaven.
" Why, no one turn up."

This reminds me of the same question in the eastern spirituality.
"Dhamma brings happiness and peaceful to anyone. Why no one wants to hear it?"