Hello everyone!
A few days ago, I promised I would post a Buddhist koan (or parable) that I wrote so that I could get some feedback on it. Here is the koan:
One day the Buddha was going on a long journey, and his disciples were gathered around him. Turning to one of his disciples, the Buddha said: "Are you coming or going?"
Eager to accompany Buddha on his journey, the disciple said: "I am coming."
To his dismay, the Buddha frowned and said: "You are not yet ready for the journey."
Turning to a second disciple, the Buddha asked again: "Are you coming or going?"
Seeing that the first disciple's answer met with disapproval, the second disciple pondered the question and then responded: "I am going."
Again, the Buddha frowned and shook his head. "You are not yet ready for the journey." He said.
Turning to a third disciple, the Buddha asked again: "Are you coming or going?"
Troubled by the response that the first two disciples received, the third disciple was afraid to answer. Stuttering, he began to speak. "I am..." He began, but he could not finish the sentence.
To his surprise, the Buddha smiled and nodded approvingly.
"Here is a true disciple indeed." The Buddha said. "Here is one who is ready for the journey."
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Personally, I like it! Just an interesting comment about "I'm coming" and "I'm going" is that in English we say "I'm coming" when someone calls us. But in Spanish you literally say "I'm going" which means from where I am to where you are!
Thank you for sharing your Buddhist koan! It's a thought-provoking story that highlights the importance of mindfulness and non-dualistic thinking.
Now, let's analyze the koan and its meaning. The question posed by the Buddha, "Are you coming or going?" has a deeper significance beyond its literal interpretation. It aims to challenge the disciples' understanding of their own state of being and their readiness for spiritual growth.
The first disciple, eager to accompany the Buddha, responded hastily with "I am coming." However, the Buddha's disapproval suggests that the disciple's attachment to the physical act of coming was not enough to make them ready for the journey. This hints at the idea that spiritual growth requires more than just physical presence or external actions.
The second disciple, observing the first disciple's mistake, contemplated the question and replied with "I am going." But again, the Buddha expressed disapproval, indicating that this answer also fell short of what was expected. This implies that merely renouncing the present moment and seeking something outside oneself is not the right approach either.
Finally, the third disciple, deeply affected by the previous responses, was overcome with hesitation in answering. Unable to give a definitive response, the disciple became aware of the limitations of conceptual thinking and dualistic language. This genuine moment of realization and being present in the silence pleased the Buddha, who recognized it as the mark of a true disciple ready for the journey.
The koan invites us to reflect on the profound truth that cannot be captured by words or concepts alone. It teaches the necessity of transcending dualistic thinking and seeking a direct experience of reality, free from attachment and conceptual limitations.
I hope this explanation helps you to understand the essence of the koan. If you have any further questions or need assistance with anything else, feel free to ask!