Last updated on March 6, 2022 by Roger Kaufman
Letting go of thoughts “Dirty Street” A wise story from Zen
Tanzan and Ekido were once walking down a dirty street. There was also heavy rain falling. When they came to a bend in the road, they met a pretty girl in a silk kimono who wanted to cross the intersection but couldn't. “Come here, girl,” said Tanzan immediately.
He took her in his arms and carried her across the mud of the road. Ekido didn't say a word, until they reached a temple at night where they rested. He couldn't contain himself any longer. “We monks are not allowed to come near women,” he said to Tanzan, “especially not them boys and pretty. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?”
“I left the girl there,” Tanzan said. “Are you still carrying her?”
Source: Paul Reps - Without Words - Without Silence - 101 Zen Stories
Pingback: The power of your thoughts | Affirmations positive thinking