The Surge Of Compassion

Anecdotes

oi-Staff

Friday, October 30, 2009, 16:12

A young man who was disgusted with life after a bitter experience, requested a master in a monastery to relieve him off his sufferings once for all. He also revealed to the master that he was incapable of getting to do something for long. He said that he did not have the capacity to engage in long years of meditation, study or austerity simply for the fact that he may relapse into the old ways of the world.

The master reassured him and enquired of any activity that he really concentrated on. The young man answered that since he was rich, he really did not have to work. However he revealed his interest for the game of chess and his indomitable skill in playing the game. The master then summoned a person and asked him to call such and such a monk to come with a chessboard and men. The monk who actually did not know much about the game, expect for once or twice which he had played years before, arrived as beckoned by the master with the game board.

The master told the monk “You have promised obedience to me as your master. Now it is required of you to keep up with your vow. I would like you to play chess with this man who is skilled in the game. However if you lose it, you lose your life to my sword. But if you win your opponent's life will not be spared!" Saying so he stood by the chess board to watch the game.

The game started. In the beginning the young man appeared tensed, for the game would determine his life or death. However he concentrated intensely on the game as he played on. The monk then made his first wrong move which relieved the young man who in turn made a strong attack. He then observed covertly his opponent who was a beggar. He saw intelligence and sincerity in the face that was worn out by austerity and effort. and the young man went on to notice the profound silence, the grace, the serenity and beauty that splayed on the monk's face. He was least perturbed even by the idea of death as the young man played on deftly.

The monk had surrendered himself completely to his master and there was not a trace of worry or fear as his game dwindled. The young man then thought of his own worthless life. There was a natural surge of compassion in him. He reflected, “ I have led a worthless life and if I am to die there would be nothing lacking on this earth. But if this man who has spent his life in arduous spiritual practices like prayer and meditation is to die, much is lost". Thinking so he started making drastic blunders on the game board purposefully until he stood defenseless. The master suddenly at this juncture upset the game board leaving the players in astonishment.

The master then looked at both of them and said slowly, “There is no winner or loser. Only two things are required, concentration and compassion" Turning to the young man he said, “You have learned them both today. You were continuously concentrating on the game. In that concentration compassion arose in you that you were even ready to sacrifice your life. Now stay here for a few months and get exposed to our training in this spirit and you are sure to be enlightened. The young man stayed on as per the words of the master and got enlightened.

When one concentrates on something one actually dissolves in the action with no trace of feeling of oneself. This is in truth is meditation. Compassion it is a by product of meditation and cannot be practised says Osho.