299-The sound- Buddhism in daily life

The sound


The following story is told of a Japanese Chan (Zen) master:


During his travels through Asia, the teacher visited various
monasteries, temples and many other Chan (Zen) masters. He shared
his experiences, views and thoughts, experienced incredible
moments, impressions and incidents, for years he traveled around
as a simple man.


His reputation at home was impeccable, people were waiting for
his return so that he would then tell about his wanderings. Even
the Japanese emperor heard about the stories of the traveling
teacher, the longer the absence lasted, the greater the
curiosity, they wanted to know what had happened to the master on
his explorations, what the other countries were like, what food,
what teachings, what ideals unite the people there.


When the Chan master arrived back in Japan, everyone wanted to
talk to him, including the emperor. The master was asked to come
to the court of the regent to satisfy the monarch's interest, to
be the first to tell him about his impressions, to describe the
interesting journey in all details, to explain all his thoughts.
The emperor thirsted for the adventures and the new knowledge.


The Chan master bowed in reverence to the ruler and paused in
deep silence before the throne, the men looking at each other,
examining each other, noticing every emotion in the other's face.


Then the master took out of his pocket a small flute, which had
accompanied him on all his journeys, with which he had played as
often as he could, and which was dear and important to him. He
put it to his mouth and played ONE SINGLE TONE, put the flute
back down, fell silent again, the men stared at each other for a
while, the master put the flute back in his pocket, bowed, turned
and left.


The monarch was completely astonished, speechless, what was the
meaning of this, did the master want to insult him, did he have
no respect, should he have him brought back? But the emperor did
nothing, fell into brooding, thought about the meeting for a long
time; again and again the face of the master appeared in his
thoughts, the sound, the sound of the flute dug itself deeply
into his consciousness.


It is reported that the emperor never forgot the incident and
found "enlightenment" in old age itself. The sound of the flute
is said to have remained in his memory.


Today I recorded the sound of my master stick (similar to singing
bowls), the sound when the two halves of bamboo meet in my hand!


There is no more beautiful sound than the gnashing of teeth of a
mate


- Groucho Marx - US actor - 1890 to 1977


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