A beautiful Buddhist story
There is a beautiful Buddhist story, which is shared by Ram Dass during one of his talks. A story which has found a place in my heart and on occasion wants to vibrate out into the world through my voice. Today, this story has found the very tips of the inside of my hands and it rests lovingly in the curves of my fingerprints as I tap on the keyboard to share it with you.
This story begins with a Shogun ordering his army to invade a village. He wants the rice for his samarui and the land for his control. His order is to kill anyone who does not obey his command to leave. He demands the monastery, nestled in the hillside overlooking the village, is also cleared. All must leave.
His army dutifully obey and raise their voices and swords against the village. The villagers and monks flee, running with babes in arms into the bitter fog wrapping around the mountains. The sound of the Shogun's horse pounding the earth as he arrives, echoes in the emptiness left behind.
The Shogun asks his second in command if everyone has left. 'All but one,' he is told. One monk remains. The Shogun is fuming and sword in hand he marches to the monastery and bursts open the door. He finds the monk, waiting for him, kneeling facing the door, eyes resting toward the ground.
From the wind in his chest the Shogun shouts at the monk, 'Don't you know who I am? I am one who could run my sword right through you, without a blink of my eye.'
The Zen monk remains unmoving while the words reverberate around him. And then the Shogun and monk are together in silence. It holds them for a while, until the monk speaks softly, without looking up from the ground.
'I know not who you are. All that is in my heart is the knowing I can have your sword run right through me, without a blink of my eye.'
Unsettled by this response, the Shogun stumbles from the monastery. The shape of him has changed through this exchange, and his army barely recognise him on his return to his horse.
This beautiful Buddhist story is a gift, which has travelled through time to hold for a moment, when needed, and to share. A reminder to be with the wisdom of our hearts. To kneel down to what we know is deep inside us.
Photo captured 20 June 2023, Kotoku-in, Japan
