Two Monks

Two monks were returning to the monastery in the evening. It had rained and there were puddles of water on the road sides.

At one place a beautiful young woman was standing unable to walk across because of a puddle of water. The elder of the two monks went up to a her lifted her in his alms and left her on the other side of the road, and continued his way to the monastery.

In the evening the younger monk came to the elder monk and said, “Sir, as monks, we cannot touch a woman ?”

The elder monk answered “yes, brother”.

Then the younger monk asks again, ” but then Sir, how is that you lifted that woman on the roadside ?”

The elder monk smiled at him and told him ” I left her on the other side of the road, but you are still carrying her ”

Be Well.

3 Comments

  1. Sherry on March 24, 2010 at 1:00 am

    I’ve always enjoyed that story and at different times it has meant different things to me. Now it reminds me to stay in the present. Thank your for placing this story in my awareness again. Blessings, Sherry

  2. Paul on March 24, 2010 at 8:24 am

    @Sherry
    This has always been one of my favorite stories! Not only am I reminded to stay in the present, but to let go of things that are not even my business.

    Thanks, Sherry.

  3. Varun on March 26, 2010 at 1:26 am

    Although I loved the story but I have a slightly different point of view. Yes, it is beneficial to let go of things and live in present but at the same time I feel that your best teacher is your past, the things that happened in past teach you lessons so you can do the right karma in your present to pave a way for a better future. (just an opinion) Nevertheless, the essence of this story is, to forget and let go of things which don’t matter and the monk indeed did the right thing and I get it! Thanks!

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