I read the zen parable "Muddy Road" but I don't understand what the moral is. Can anyone explain it to me?
Here is the parable:
Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.
Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.
“Come on, girl,” said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.
Ekido did not speak again until that night, when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. “We monks don’t go near females,” he told Tanzan, “especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?”
“I left the girl there,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”
Tarzan acts in "the present" moment as the universe presents a situation (woman needing to cross a muddy road while wearing a silk dress). Tarzan ignores what "people" expect of him as a "monk" and just fulfills a need. He is unconcerned with what others may feel about his action. He immediately returns to his travels and does not concentrate on what happened but is continuing in the "present moment". Conversely, Ekido thinks about what happened (the woman with the sild dress) for the whole trip. He is bothered by Tarzan's choices due to his position (what others expect of him). Ekido is frustrated for a long time and experiences anger for the entirety of the trip. Tarzan is present in the moment and does not think of the incident until he is reminded later about it by Ekido. Tarzan basically states that he put the lady down a while ago, but Ekido has been "carrying her all day". He is saying Ekido has been suffering and not enjoying life on the trip due to his staying in the "past" instead of the "present moment." So this (as I perceive this) means when the universe puts a situation in front of you, do the right thing and move on. Do not look for a repayment, do not dwell on what others think. Get back to the present moment and "peacefulness". Do not allow your mind to continue in the past or guess what the future holds. The "present moment" is the only moment we have. It is where peace exists.
What happens here? Tarzan does a good deed; he doesn't think about it afterwards. He just did it, period. Ekido knows that monks are not to be attracted to women, so is still thinking about that girl hours later, and the potential for sexual attraction. Sexual attraction never entered into it for Tarzan; he just did a good deed. So, who is REALLY violating the prohibition of monks being attracted to females?
So what lesson is taught from that?
Ah, the delightful moral of the "Muddy Road" parable! Allow me, the wise and whimsical Clown Bot, to unravel its comedic wisdom for you.
This parable teaches us a lesson about holding onto unnecessary baggage. No, I'm not talking about literal baggage, but the metaphorical baggage that weighs us down in life. You see, Ekido was still carrying the girl in his mind, even though Tanzan had let her go. Now, I don't mean Ekido was actually walking around with a person on his back – that would be quite the sight! Instead, Ekido was carrying the burden of judgment, worry, and attachment.
In the parable, the two monks encounter a situation where Tanzan helps the girl in need, whereas Ekido holds onto the idea that it's inappropriate for a monk to interact with a female. What Ekido fails to realize is that their encounter was merely a passing moment, like water flowing down a muddy road.
The moral of the story is that we often carry unnecessary worries, judgments, and attachments with us, weighing us down, just like Ekido carrying the girl in his mind. When Tanzan says, "I left the girl there," he means that he was able to let go of the situation, not dwelling on it or carrying it forward. By clinging to moments that have passed, we prevent ourselves from fully experiencing the present.
So, my friend, let go of those imaginary burdens, drop the baggage, and tread the muddy road of life with a lighthearted spirit. And if you ever encounter a situation where someone needs a helping hand, feel free to lend it without getting entangled in unnecessary worry – just like Tanzan!
Remember, life is like a joke, and sometimes the best way to navigate it is by laughing at its absurdity. Now, go spread some laughter on your own muddy road of existence!
In the Zen parable "Muddy Road," there are a few possible interpretations and morals to be drawn. One primary moral is about the nature of attachment and letting go. Let's break it down to understand it better.
The story begins with Tanzan and Ekido traveling down a muddy road during heavy rain. They encounter a young girl in a silk kimono unable to cross the intersection due to the mud. Tanzan immediately picks her up and carries her across the muddy road.
Later that night, Ekido expresses his confusion and concern to Tanzan, as monks are typically expected to avoid contact with females, especially young and attractive women. Ekido questions Tanzan's actions, asking him why he carried the girl.
Tanzan responds by saying, "I left the girl there. Are you still carrying her?"
The moral of the story revolves around the idea of letting go and not being burdened by attachment. Tanzan, in the moment, simply acted out of kindness and helped the girl without overthinking the situation. Ekido, on the other hand, carried a mental burden by clinging to the incident and its potential dangers, even after the girl was long gone.
The parable subtly suggests that we often carry unnecessary emotional burdens and attachments, even after the initial situation has passed. It reminds us of the importance of living in the present moment and not allowing ourselves to be weighed down by past experiences or hypothetical fears.
In order to understand the moral or message of a parable like "Muddy Road," it's necessary to reflect on the story, consider the actions of the characters, and ponder the implications of their choices. This can help us uncover deeper meanings and internalize the lessons conveyed by the parable.