Sepenggal Perjalanan

Three Questions - by Leo Tolstoy

One day it occurred to a certain emperor that if he only knew the answers to three questions, he would never stray in any matter.

What is the best time to do each thing? Who are the most important people to work with? What is the most important thing to do at all times?

The emperor issued a decree throughout his kingdom announcing that whoever could answer the questions would receive a great reward. Many who read the decree made their way to the palace at once, each person with a different answer.

In reply to the first question, one person advised that the emperor make up a thorough time schedule, consecrating every hour, day, month, and year for certain tasks and then follow the schedule to the letter. Only then could he hope to do every task at the right time.

Another person replied that it was impossible to plan in advance and that the emperor should put all vain amusements aside and remain attentive to everything in order to know what to do at what time.

Someone else insisted that, by himself, the emperor could never hope to have all the foresight and competence necessary to decide when to do each and every task and what he really needed was to set up a Council of the Wise and then to act according to their advice.

Someone else said that certain matters required immediate decision and could not wait for consultation, but if he wanted to know in advance what was going to happen he should consult magicians and soothsayers.

The responses to the second question also lacked accord.

One person said that the emperor needed to place all his trust in administrators, another urged reliance on priests and monks, while others recommended physicians. Still others put their faith in warriors.

The third question drew a similar variety of answers. Some said science was the most important pursuit. Others insisted on religion. Yet others claimed the most important thing was military skill.

The emperor was not pleased with any of the answers, and no reward was given.

After several nights of reflection, the emperor resolved to visit a hermit who lived up on the mountain and was said to be an enlightened man. The emperor wished to find the hermit to ask him the three questions, though he knew the hermit never left the mountains and was known to receive only the poor, refusing to have anything to do with persons of wealth or power. So the emperor disguised himself as a simple peasant and ordered his attendants to wait for him at the foot of the mountain while he climbed the slope alone to seek the hermit.

Reaching the holy man's dwelling place, the emperor found the hermit digging a garden in front of his hut. When the hermit saw the stranger, he nodded his head in greeting and continued to dig. The labor was obviously hard on him. He was an old man, and each time he thrust his spade into the ground to turn the earth, he heaved heavily.

The emperor approached him and said, "I have come here to ask your help with three questions: When is the best time to do each thing? Who are the most important people to work with? What is the most important thing to do at all times?"

The hermit listened attentively but only patted the emperor on the shoulder and continued digging. The emperor said, "You must be tired. Here, let me give you a hand with that." The hermit thanked him, handed the emperor the spade, and then sat down on the ground to rest.

After he had dug two rows, the emperor stopped and turned to the hermit and repeated his three questions. The hermit still did not answer, but instead stood up and pointed to the spade and said, "Why don't you rest now? I can take over again." But the emperor continued to dig. One hour passed, then two. Finally the sun began to set behind the mountain. The emperor put down the spade and said to the hermit, "I came here to ask if you could answer my three questions. But if you can't give me any answer, please let me know so that I can get on may way home."

The hermit lifted his head and asked the emperor, "Do you hear someone running over there?" The emperor turned his head. They both saw a man with a long white beard emerge from the woods. He ran wildly, pressing his hands against a bloody wound in his stomach. The man ran toward the emperor before falling unconscious to the ground, where he lay groaning. Opening the man's clothing, the emperor and hermit saw that the man had received a deep gash. The emperor cleaned the wound thoroughly and then used his own shirt to bandage it, but the blood completely soaked it within minutes. He rinsed the shirt out and bandaged the wound a second time and continued to do so until the flow of blood had stopped.

At last the wounded man regained consciousness and asked for a drink of water. The emperor ran down to the stream and brought back a jug of fresh water. Meanwhile, the sun had disappeared and the night air had begun to turn cold. The hermit gave the emperor a hand in carrying the man into the hut where they laid him down on the hermit's bed. The man closed his eyes and lay quietly. The emperor was worn out from the long day of climbing the mountain and digging the garden. Leaning against the doorway, he fell asleep. When he rose, the sun had already risen over the mountain. For a moment he forgot where he was and what he had come here for. He looked over to the bed and saw the wounded man also looking around him in confusion. When he saw the emperor, he stared at him intently and then said in a faint whisper, "Please forgive me."

"But what have you done that I should forgive you?" the emperor asked.

"You do not know me, your majesty, but I know you. I was your sworn enemy, and I had vowed to take vengeance on you, for during the last war you killed my brother and seized my property. When I learned that you were coming alone to the mountain to meet the hermit, I resolved to surprise you on your way back to kill you. But after waiting a long time there was still no sign of you, and so I left my ambush in order to seek you out. But instead of finding you, I came across your attendants, who recognized me, giving me this wound. Luckily, I escaped and ran here. If I hadn't met you I would surely be dead by now. I had intended to kill you, but instead you saved my life! I am ashamed and grateful beyond words. If I live, I vow to be your servant for the rest of my life, and I will bid my children and grandchildren to do the same. Please grant me your forgiveness."

The emperor was overjoyed to see that he was so easily reconciled with a former enemy. He not only forgave the man but promised to return all the man's property and to send his own physician and servants to wait on the man until he was completely healed. After ordering his attendants to take the man home, the emperor returned to see the hermit. Before returning to the palace the emperor wanted to repeat his three questions one last time. He found the hermit sowing seeds in the earth they had dug the day before.

The hermit stood up and looked at the emperor. "But your questions have already been answered."

"How's that?" the emperor asked, puzzled.

"Yesterday, if you had not taken pity on my age and given me a hand with digging these beds, you would have been attacked by that man on your way home. Then you would have deeply regretted not staying with me. Therefore the most important time was the time you were digging in the beds, the most important person was myself, and the most important pursuit was to help me. Later, when the wounded man ran up here, the most important time was the time you spent dressing his wound, for if you had not cared for him he would have died and you would have lost the chance to be reconciled with him. Likewise, he was the most important person, and the most important pursuit was taking care of his wound. Remember that there is only one important time and is Now. The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. The most important person is always the person with whom you are, who is right before you, for who knows if you will have dealings with any other person in the future. The most important pursuit is making that person, the one standing at you side, happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life."

cited from: http://www.yuni.com/library/docs/200.html

Once upon a time, in the south of India, there was a city called Mahilaropyam. A king the name of Amarshahti* lived there. He was a very learned man and extremely accomplished in various arts and skills.

The king had three sons called Bahushakti*, Ugrashakti* and Anantashakti*, who were complete duds and had no interest whatsoever in studying. Realising this, the king assembled his ministers and addressed them in these words, "Gentleman, you already know how ignorant my sons are. They have no understanding whatsoever. Looking at them I cannot enjoy my Kingdom. As they say:

'Unborn, dead and stupid sons. The first two are to be preferred for they cause sorrow only once
Whilst stupid sons are a torment to the heart Till the end of life.'

And,

'What is the good of a cow That neither bears a calf nor gives milk? And, what is the good of a son
Who is neither enlightened nor Devoured?

- "So please tell me ways and means by which my sons would be enlightened."

One of the ministers replied, "Your Majesty! Twelve year are spent in learning grammar alone and then the required sciences, economics, religion and sexology are so vast that it takes a king time to master them. And only then the intelligence is awakened."

But a minister, a man called Sumati*, said, "Our life is transitory and these sciences take too long to master them.

So we must find a shorter way to enlighten the minds of the princes. I know of a Brahmin*, called Vishnu Sharma*, who is an expert in all the sciences and has earned an excellent reputation among his innumerable disciples. So I suggest that the princes should be handed over to him. He will certainly instruct them very well,"

When the king heard this, he had Vishnu Sharma invited to the palace and said to him, "Bhagawan*, please educate my sons quickly in nitishastras*, I shall be so grateful to you. I shall present you with a hundred tax-free villages."

This was the reply that Vishnu Sharma made to the kind " Your majesty, please listen to what I have to say, Believe me, it's the truth, I would not like to sell my wisdom out of greed for money but if I have not made your sons thorough in nitishastras within six month, then I am ready to forfeit my name. Hear my lion's roar*.

Somewhere in the world, is a city called Vardhamana.

A very efficient and prosperous merchant, lived there. Knowing his ability, the king appointed him as an administrator of the capital. During his administration, he kept the common people as well the king very happy.

One rarely comes across such a person who keeps everyone happy. In the course of time, the marriage of merchant's daughter took place. The merchant invited the king and the queen along with the entire court to his house. He entertained them lavishly, gave them presents of clothing etc. and in this way, he showed them great respect.

A servant who used to sweep the floors of the king's palace, came there too, but uninvited. He sat down on a seat meant for some one else. The merchant caught him by his neck and threw him out.

The servant felt insulted and could not sleep all night for thinking, 'How can I get the merchant into disfavour with the king and so get even with him? But then, what chance have I, an ordinary fellow, of harming such a powerful person as he is'.


And so he hit upon a plan.

Several days later, early in the morning, when the king was not yet wide awake, the servant was sweeping the floor near his bed and said. 'Good heavens! The merchant has become so brazen nowadays that he actually dares to embrace the queen!'

When the king heard this, he jumped up and shouted, 'Oh you ! Is that true? Has the merchant really embraced my queen?'

'Master,' replied the servant 'I was gambling all night and didn't sleep at all. This morning I feel drowsy... I really don't know what I've been saying. But if I have said anything out of place, please forgive me.'

Jealous, the king thought to himself, 'Yes! The servant is allowed to go about freely in the palace and so is the merchant.

It is quite possible that the servant has seen the merchant embracing my queen.'

The king's thoughts were so troubled that, from that day onward, he withdrew his favours from the merchant and, what is more, he forbade him even to enter the palace.

The merchant was astounded to see this sudden change in the king's attitude.

Some time passed. One day, when the merchant wanted to pass through the gateway to the palace, he was stopped by the guards.

The servant, who was sweeping the floor, saw this and he said with a smirk, 'Ho! Guards! That fellow is the king's favourite. He can arrest or release people, just as he pleases. He threw me out. Be careful, you may suffer the same fate.'

When the merchant heard this, he thought to himself, 'It is surely the servant who has caused all this trouble. Now I understand everything.'

The merchant felt upset and returned home in a very dejected mood.

He thought it over and that evening, he invited the servant to his house, flattered him, gave him a pair of garments and said kindly, 'My dear friend, it was not because I was angry that I threw you out that day but because it was an impropriety for you to take the seat you took.

It was reserved for a Brahmin. The Brahmin felt insulted, that's why I had to throw you out. Forgive me.'When the servant saw the clothes, he was very pleased.

Full of joy, he said to the merchant, 'Sir, now I forgive you. You have expressed your regrets and also honoured me.

Once again you shall see the favour of the king and in this way I shall prove to you my cleverness.'

With these words the servant went home happily.

Next morning, he went to the palace and started sweeping the floor.

When he had made sure that the king was lying half-awake, he said, 'The king is really indiscreet, he eats cucumber in the lavatory!'

The king was taken aback to hear this and he shouted, 'You! What's that nonsense you're talking! It's only because you're my servant that I don't kill you. Have you ever seen me doing such a thing?'

'Master', said the servant, 'I was gambling last night and didn't sleep at all. This morning I feel drowsy. I really don't know what I've been saying. But if I've said anything out of place, please forgive me.'

When the king heard this, he thought to himself, 'Never I my life have I eaten cucumber in the lavatory.

If this fool has said something ridiculous about me, surely what he said about the merchant was ridiculous too. It was wrong of me to have insulted the merchant.

Besides, without him, the whole administrative system, at the palace and in the city, has become slack.'

When he had considered this carefully, the king invited the merchant to the palace, presented him with jewels and clothing and re-appointed him to his former position.

The wise indeed say: One should treat one and all, even the lowest with respect.

cited from: Tales of Panchatantra

Pohon Ek dan Serumpun Buluh

Sebatang pohon Ek yang besar tumbuh persis di tepi sebuah sungai di sebuah hutan. Di samping pohon itu tumbuh pula serumpun buluh muda. Rumpun buluh selalu menunduk penuh hormat setiap kali angin bertiup menerpanya. Pohon Ek tidak sepakat dengan kebiasaan rumpun buluh itu.

Suatu ketika, pohon Ek berkata kepada rumpun buluh, "Kamu Buluh, mengapa kamu selalu merunduk setiap kali angin bertiup? Berdirilah tegak betapapun kencangnya angin bertiup!"

"Oh, pohon Ek yang perkasa," jawab rumpun buluh dengan rendah hati, "Kami ini hanya kecil semampai, dan bila kami harus melawan angin, kami tentu harus menanggung akibatnya."

"Jangan pernah kalah!" tegas pohon Ek dengan sikap dingin dan kembali sibuk dengan urusannya. Jelas rumpun buluh tidak mau mendengarkan nasihatnya.

Pada suatu malam, datanglah badai besar. Angin bertiup kencang, menggoyangkan rumpun buluh hampir sampai menyentuh tanah. dan rumpun buluh itu tidak marah. Akan tetapi, pohon Ek berjuang keras melawan angin, meskipun kali ini angin terlalu keras baginya.

Dalam sekejap pohon Ek berderak-derak patah. Ia tergeletak di tanah dalam keadaan menyedihkan. Sementara rumpun buluh terus tunduk kepada angin dan tidak patah.

Pagi harinya, ketika badai telah usai, keadaan rumpun buluh tetap baik seperti semula. Tetapi pohon Ek yang kemarin masih kokoh dan rimbun kini tinggal sebatang kayu hutan yang patah dan nyaris mati!***

Zen stories:

Hyakujo, the Chinese Zen master, used to labor with his pupils even at the age of eighty, trimming the gardens, cleaning the grounds, and pruning the trees.

The pupils felt sorry to see the old teacher working so hard, but they knew he would not listen to their advice to stop, so they hid away his tools.

That day the master did not eat. The next day he did not eat, nor the next. "He may be angry because we have hidden his tools," the pupils surmised. "We had better put them back."

The day they did, the teacher worked and ate the same as before. In the evening he instructed them: "No work, no food."

Sahabat

Pada suatu hari dua orang sahabat sepakat untuk bersama-sama mengadakan perjalanan jauh. Mereka sahabat karib yang sudah bertahun tahun telah mengenal satu sama lain. Yang satu berjanji kepada yang lain, "Aku akan mendampingimu dalam kesulitan dan kegembiraan. Apa pun yang terjadi, aku akan tetap bersamamu, lebih-lebih dalam kesulitan di perjalanan.

Teman yang kedua, yang sedikit lemah dan penakut sangat senang mendengar janji itu. Mereka kemudian pergi bersama

Dalam perjalanan itu mereka harus melewati sebuah hutan yang sangat lebat. Karena janji itu, teman yang lemah tidak takut. Akan tetapi sesudah setengah perjalanan, tiba-tiba muncul seekor beruang besar. Segera teman yang kuat itu memanjat sebatang pohon untuk menyelamatkan diri, meninggalkan teman. Teman yang lemah tidak dapat mengikuti apa yang dilakukan oleh teman yang kuat. Di saat panik itu, ia tiba-tiba berbaring di tanah pura-pura mati. Dia menutup matanya rapat-rapat dan berusaha tidak bernafas.

Temannya yang di atas pohon melihat beruang besar itu mendekati sahabatnya. Dia melihat beruang besar itu melangkah mendekati temannya yang sedang berbaring, berjalan mengelilinginya, berhenti sesaat dekat telinganya, dan dengan tenang pergi menghilang ke tengah hutan.

Dengan rasa lega teman yang berada di pohon turun, sementara yang satunya segera bangun dan duduk.

"Aku mengamati beruang itu tampaknya membisikkan sesuatu kepadamu," kata teman yang lebih kuat. "Ya, beruang itu berbisik begitu bodohnya aku mempercayai engkau," jawab orang itu dengan sikap dingin.