The Stone In The Mind

By Staff

Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 6:00

The Chinese Zen teacher, Hogen lived in a small temple. One day four monks in the course of their travel, with the permission of Hogen made a fire and began to warm themselves. While warming themselves, Hogen happened to overhear their conversation.

The travelling monks were discussing about subjectivity and objectivity when Hogen joined them and said "There is a huge stone. Do you think it is inside your mind or outside your mind?"

One of the monks replied : The stone is inside my mind as per the Buddhist viewpoint that everything is the projection or objectification of the mind"

Hogen then said : "Your head must feel very heavy for carrying about a stone like that in your mind"