A Zen Story Again

Just Two Words

There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to
this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to
the head monk.
"It has been ten years," said the head monk. "What are the two words you
would like to speak?"
"Bed... hard..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk's office. "It has been ten
more years," said the head monk. "What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Food... stinks..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk
who asked, "What are your two words now, after these ten years?"
"I... quit!" said the monk.
"Well, I can see why," replied the head monk. "All you ever do is complain."

Points For Reflection
* Is it our habit to complain, complain and complain ? There are times when we have to make the best of the circumstances or situation we are in . Learn to count our blessings and the good things that we have. Remember that in Samsara, nothing is perfect.
* Patience, tolerance and forbearance are great virtues to develop. Without these, we often give up on many things that we start upon to do … Dhamma study, outreach work (Dana), meditation and so on.
* There is a saying : “There’s no gain without pain!” The Path of Dhamma Practice and cultivation is a struggle …it entails much effort, discipline, sacrifice and commitment. Remember Siddharta Gautama struggled for 6 long years before Enlightenment ….and he was a Bodhisattva with good paramis ! Reflecting on this, we know that we, defiled worldlings have even to struggle more !

With Metta,

Bro. Oh Teik Bin