Have you read a Zen story about a cold-hearted monk?
Writing about how Buddhist monks resist sexual temptation reminded me of a beautiful story from 101 Zen Koans.
It’s titled “No Loving-Kindness,” a reference to a meditation technique that you can try right now by reading our in-depth article. Returning to the story, listen to its audio version read by a mellifluous voice of Freda Cooper — enjoy!
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There was an old woman in China who had supported a monk for over twenty years. She had built a little hut for him and fed him while he was meditating. Finally she wondered just what progress he had made in all this time.
To find out, she obtained the help of a girl rich in desire. “Go and embrace him,” she told her, “and then ask him suddenly: ‘What now?‘”
The girl called upon the monk and without much ado caressed him, asking him what he was going to do about it.
“An old tree grows on a cold rock in winter,” replied the monk somewhat poetically. “Nowhere is there any warmth.”
The girl returned and related what he had said.
“To think I fed that fellow for twenty years!” exclaimed the old woman in anger. “He showed no consideration for your needs, no disposition to explain your condition. He need not have responded to passion, but at least he should have evidenced some compassion.”
She at once went to the hut of the monk and burned it down.
If you’re a Zen story lover, read a Zen story about loving openly, a Zen story about subjugating negative thoughts that are haunting your mind and then revisit our article on the five Buddhist precepts and how to practice lovingkindness meditation.
I’m a freelance writer and mindfulness advocate behind this blog. What you see here is the combination of my three favorite things: reading, writing, and mindfulness. While you’re here, subscribe to my blog updates and gain access to free mindfulness resources for stress relief.
