PureInsight | March 16, 2008
[PureInsight.org] Sometime I feel saving sentient beings and clarifying the truth are very difficult and I feel somewhat anxious and discouraged.
I recently read a story that enlightened me somewhat. It tells a story
about the famed swordsmen of modern times in Japan, Miyamoto Musashi
(1584-1645) and his disciple Liusheng Toshiro. Here is a dialogue when
Liusheng Toshiro asked Miyamoto Musashi about learning swordsmanship.
"Master, if I try hard, how many years will it take me to become a swordsman?"
Miyamoto Musashi answered: "Your whole life."
"I can't wait that long. If you are willing to teach me, I am willing to do whatever is necessary to reach my goal."
Miyamoto Musashi answered slowly: "Oh. In the case, it may take you ten years."
Liusheng Toshiro said resignedly: "If I work even more assiduously, how long will it take?"
"Then, perhaps thirty years." Miyamoto Musashi said.
"What do you mean by that? You said earlier that it would take ten
years and now you said it would be thirty years. I will not hesitate to
work hard and master the skill in the shortest time!" Liusheng Toshiro
said.
Miyamoto Musashi said: "If that is the case, you need to follow me for
seventy years. A person like you who is so impatient will not get
there."
Liusheng Toshiro finally understood that he was being lectured about
his lack of patience. Later, Miyamoto Musashi not only forbade Liusheng
Toshiro to talk about swordsmanship, but also disallowed him to touch a
sword. Miyamoto Musashi only told him to cook, wash dishes, make beds,
clean the yard, and so on, for three years. Miyamoto even hit him on
his back with a wooden sword frequently. Liusheng Toshiro suffered the
taste of being hit with a sword constantly. But he finally enlightened
to the reason. When he suddenly saw everything in a clear light, his
master smiled with satisfaction.
This story reminds me of an episode a fellow practitioner once told me.
One year when Master passed by our city on his way to Singapore to give
a Fa lecture, the fellow practitioner drove Master to airport. On the
expressway, he drove very fast and kept passing the cars in front of
them. Master told him smilingly: You are being so hasty but it will not
get you there any faster. He wondered how that could be. He thought, "I
drive so fast and pass many cars and I should get there very quickly."
He continued to drive very fast. Then a barrel-like thing blocked his
car. He waited for a long time and finally passed by. He then realized
that it was truly like what Master said. Actually, it was Master trying
to enlighten him. Since then, he thus always examines his words and
deeds in his cultivation.
Actually, everything we encounter in our cultivation path is like that.
Any worry and discouragement are extreme mindsets. We should do
everything well with an even mind, and strive forward on the road with
rationality.
Translated from:
http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2008/3/13/51623.html
