The Simple Question

Anecdotes

oi-Staff

By Staff

Friday, July 10, 2009, 14:20

There was once a monk who was extremely good in the Diamond Sutra. He was approached by people from all walks of life like monks, masters and even laymen to whom he expounded the essence of the book. In those days when books were invaluable, he carried the only copy in his pack on his back. wherever he travelled. On day as he tread a mountain road, he came upon an old woman selling tea and cakes.

The monk was hungry but did not have the money to pay for the edibles. However he decided to assuage the craving of his stomach by trying to strike a deal with the old woman. He told the woman "I will part with an invaluable treasure, the Diamond Sutra, if you will give me some tea and cakes."

The old woman who knew a little about the Sutra, however struck her own deal. She said "Oh monk I will give you tea and cakes if you can answer a simple question." The monk readily agreed.

The old woman shot her question thus, "When you are eating these cakes, are you eating with the mind of the past, the mind of the present or the mind of the future.?"

The monk could not come up with the answer and so pulled out the Diamond Sutra from his bag and started searching for it. He referred, studied and thought about it at length that the day grew late. The old woman packed her bags and left the perplexed monk saying, "You are a foolish monk, you eat these cakes with your mouth!."