![]() ![]() Like you I understood that someone had to do these things, but like you I wanted to move forward. Every day I would chop wood and carry water. The Abbot gestured to the scrolls on shelves lining the walls. He replied every day all I do is chop wood and carry water. He did so and the Abbot saw he looked sad and asked him why. One day he was told to take some tea to the Abbot in his chambers. He attended prayers and meditation, but the teaching he was given was rather sparse. When he got to the monastery he was told that each morning he had to chop wood for the monks fires and then carry water up to the monastery for ablutions and the kitchen. He dreamed of enlightenment and of learning great things. There’s also a completely different variation that offers more storytelling and explanation 4: The novice asks, ‘What, then, does one do after enlightenment?’ģ. “The novice says to the master, ‘What does one do before enlightenment?’ The quote has been adapted and expanded to add a little more context³: Those last two lines are well-known and have been translated many different ways over the years, including²:Ģ. My supernatural power and marvelous activity: In every place there’s no hindrance, no conflict. Layman Pang, a Buddhist in the Zen tradition who lived from 740–808, wrote the following¹: ![]() Here are three possible sources that I found while researching.ġ. It doesn’t appear that there’s a consensus about the origin of this quote. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water.” - Zen Kōan “Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |