One day two traveling monks reached a town and saw a young woman waiting to step out of her sedan chair. There were deep, muddy puddles and she couldn’t step across without getting mud on her silk robes. She impatiently scolded her attendants, who were burdened with heavy packages.
The younger monk walked by the young woman without speaking. But the older monk stopped and picked her up on his back, carrying her across the mud. Not only did she not thank the monk, she shoved him out of her way when he put her down and scurried by him haughtily.
As the two monks continued on their way, the younger monk was brooding. After a long time, he finally spoke out. “That woman was so rude but you picked her up and carried her! She didn’t even thank you.”
“I set the woman down hours ago,” the older monk responded. “Why are you still carrying her?”
I wish I would learn this lesson. I'm tired of being angry with ungrateful people. It only burdens myself.
i think it is a lesson we can all learn. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI heard a different telling, but it was more focused on non-attachment than nil illegitamus carborundum.
ReplyDeleteIf you're feeling unappreciated by someone close to you, tell them! If you're feeling unappreciated by folks not close to you, ask yourself why you were doing it? If you were doing it for you, great. If not, maybe stop doing it.
(Sorry for the attack of stating the obvious)