Theme: COMPASSION.
Short Story 20.
The monk and the scorpion.
The monk carry with them a bowl, some food and minimal clothing and move from one monastery to another, meeting various Gurus and learning.
People all over were glad to share their food with strangers who travel.
Two monks were traveling to a distant monastery on foot.
They stopped by a river for bathing.
As they were bathing one of them noticed a scorpion falling from the branch of a tree over-hanging the river. The scorpion was struggling hard to float and was drowning.
Buddhist monks are known to be of two types. Monks of first type are stationary monks who remain in monasteries performing the religious duties. The second type of monks are known as the wandering
The monk immediately scooped it up with his hand and set it upon the bank.
In the process he was stung. He had acute pain for some time. When he felt slightly better went back to the river and continued bathing and washing his bowl. The second monk was watching this.
The first monk noticed that another scorpion fell in the river. The monk rushed-in to save the second scorpion and was again stung.
The second monk , asked the first as why ventured save the second scorpion when he had a bad experience before?
Because,” the monk replied, “saving is my nature and stinging is scorpion’s nature”
There may be many among us who feel one should not get nearer to Scorpion at all as we all know it would sting.
After the first bad experience a second attempt to save the scorpion may be decried as foolish.
Some may suggest that the Monk could have used safer method – such as the bowl that was available with him, than get strung.
The explanation could run like this:
This action of the monk is not driven by conscious thinking. It is a sub-conscious act.
Over a period of time some of our actions by-pass the analysis and action take place upon sensing an event.
We call this “ it is his nature do so”.
Any other person with compassion would do what the first monk did.
Theme: Greed see no end.
Know this:
(1) Many believe, greed cannot be eliminated from human mind.
(2) Greed is a prime force for the humanity to move. May be true. But, what is its impact in our lives, as individuals. Disaster.
(3) Is there any evidence that greed brings good life to individuals?