144-The Salt of Wisdom - Buddhism in daily life

The Salt of Wisdom

Buddha once stated that his teaching would be like salt, since the "taste" of his words would be the same for everyone.

There is a Buddhist story which (among other things) is also about salt. It is about a very sad young man who suffered a lot from his "fate".

His family advised him to go to the Buddhist temple nearby, where there was a wise Chan (Zen) master who might be able to help him. When his suffering became worse and worse, he went to the temple in the mountains, hoping for wise words from the spiritual teacher, maybe he knew a way out of the dilemma he was in.

Arriving at the monastery, he had to be patient, many people came here to ask for help, the line was long, but the master spoke to all those waiting, one by one he listened to the problems of each, then gave answers and hope, suggestions and proposals.

Then it was his turn, he spoke, "Master, I have so many problems in my life, that's why I'm always sad, can't see a way out, I'm tired of everything, don't know what to do anymore."

The monk listened to the complaints, looked into the young man's face without saying a word, for a few moments he taxed the young face. The silence became longer, uneasiness spread in the questioner, what should he do now, had the old man understood him?

Then the master reached to the back, there were many empty glasses stacked, and a large bowl. He brought a glass to the front, placed it between the men, and put the bowl next to the glass. He beckoned to a young monk, who immediately filled the glass with water.

Now the master spoke, "Take some of the salt from the bowl and put it in the water, stir, then drink the glass." The young man did as he was told. The master continued, "Well, how did it taste?" "Terribly salty," was the reply.

"Good, that was to be expected." Now the master reached behind him again on the other side, there were small envelopes, nicely wrapped, and very small bowls in a big pile, he brought out an envelope and a bowl.

He said, "Now you take some of the salt and put it in the little bowl. Then you go to the little river down by the entrance to the temple, open the letter and do exactly what you read there, then you come back to me."

Tomorrow, read on to see how the story turned out then.

The way is the goal!

As a flame goes out from the wind, is blown away and concepts no longer fit, so is the way freed from "spirit and body": He can no longer be grasped conceptually

- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero

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