The Two Souls

Anecdotes

-Staff

By Staff

Thursday, November 20, 2008, 18:09

Seijo was the beautiful daughter of Chokan. Chokan always remarked jokingly that Seijo and Ochu, his young handsome cousin would make a nice pair. In truth he planned to give his daughter in marriage to another man. But the jocular statement of Chokan went straight home with Seijo and Ochu falling in love with each other.

One day Chokan announced the betrothal of Seijo with the other man. The enraged and saddened, Ochu quit the place by boat. In the course of his journey, he found Seijo in the same boat. The united couple lived happily in a city nearby. Their marital bliss was expressed through their two children that Seijo gave birth to.

Seijo, driven by the desire to see her father, sought out to meet him. Ochu also accompanied her to seek her father's forgiveness. On arriving at Chokan's place, Ochu left his wife behind in the boat and met her father. He sought his forgiveness which astonished Chokan. Chokan in return surprised Ochu by telling that his daughter was very much with him since his departure.

He pointed out to the ailing Seijo in bed. Ochu in turn brought Seijo who was waiting in the boat. When both the Seijos met, the one lying in the bed rose and became one with the other.

The Zen Master Goso on referring to the legend to his students asked “Seijo had two souls, the one who was sick at home and the other who was married with two children. Which of the two souls was true?"