The Blind Man Listening to a Painting
Once upon a time, there lived a blind man who was a very experienced zen master. He had cultivated a heighten sense of awareness. He was able to discern whether the vibrations from a set of flapping wings came from a fly or a mosquito. He was also able to discern the species of ants that were crawling on the ground, based on the vibrations caused by their footsteps.
One day, he went to a temple to listen to a famous painting by a highly respected Buddhist monk. The monk explained the painting to him in detail. He listened intently and appreciatively, then said, "Although your painting is very beautiful, it oozes a very strong sense of pride and ego."
This was a sharp criticism to the monk, as monks are supposed to cultivate non-ego and humility.
Nonetheless, the monk maintained his grace and composure. He thanked the blind man for his feedback.
After the blind man left, a junior monk expressed his displeasure at the criticism.
The painter monk said, "Take no heed of him. He is not as cultivated as he thought he was."
The junior monk asked, "What do you mean? Everyone in the village knows that he is very elevated in his practice."
The painter monk said, "If you want to know, take this lantern to the blind man. Tell him it's a gift from me."
The junior monk was puzzled, but followed the instruction nonetheless.
It was dark outside. He ran up to the blind man, and gave him the lantern.
The blind man was outraged! He stormed back to the temple angrily, and yelled at the painter monk, "What's this supposed to mean? You know that I cannot see! What's the point of giving me a lantern? To mock me?"
The painter monk explained, gently, "It is to light up the path ahead, so that oncoming pedestrians could see you and avoid bumping into you. It is to protect you."
Upon hearing this, the blind man was abashed, for he mistook a thoughtful concern for an inconsiderate humiliation.
Underlying messages:
First level - When you point one finger at others, you are also pointing three fingers at yourself.
Second level - There will always be people who are more evolved than you. They can test you, frame you, help you, etc, without your awareness, because your level of awareness is below theirs. To you, they may appear stupid, because you don't understand them. But in actuality, you're the real idiot.***
***This is the most important message I wanted to deliver on the subject of human idiocy. Elevate your awareness.
One day, he went to a temple to listen to a famous painting by a highly respected Buddhist monk. The monk explained the painting to him in detail. He listened intently and appreciatively, then said, "Although your painting is very beautiful, it oozes a very strong sense of pride and ego."
This was a sharp criticism to the monk, as monks are supposed to cultivate non-ego and humility.
Nonetheless, the monk maintained his grace and composure. He thanked the blind man for his feedback.
After the blind man left, a junior monk expressed his displeasure at the criticism.
The painter monk said, "Take no heed of him. He is not as cultivated as he thought he was."
The junior monk asked, "What do you mean? Everyone in the village knows that he is very elevated in his practice."
The painter monk said, "If you want to know, take this lantern to the blind man. Tell him it's a gift from me."
The junior monk was puzzled, but followed the instruction nonetheless.
It was dark outside. He ran up to the blind man, and gave him the lantern.
The blind man was outraged! He stormed back to the temple angrily, and yelled at the painter monk, "What's this supposed to mean? You know that I cannot see! What's the point of giving me a lantern? To mock me?"
The painter monk explained, gently, "It is to light up the path ahead, so that oncoming pedestrians could see you and avoid bumping into you. It is to protect you."
Upon hearing this, the blind man was abashed, for he mistook a thoughtful concern for an inconsiderate humiliation.
Underlying messages:
First level - When you point one finger at others, you are also pointing three fingers at yourself.
Second level - There will always be people who are more evolved than you. They can test you, frame you, help you, etc, without your awareness, because your level of awareness is below theirs. To you, they may appear stupid, because you don't understand them. But in actuality, you're the real idiot.***
***This is the most important message I wanted to deliver on the subject of human idiocy. Elevate your awareness.
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