Crossing The River: An Ancient Zen Story

As an old Zen story says, there was once a master who was responsible for the education of his two young disciples. They were both good students; selfless and disciplined. They both wanted to develop and become Zen masters themselves. Every day they did everything they could to achieve this.

Above all else, the master tried to instill in them the idea of ​​detachment. Within Zen philosophy, attachment is the root of all suffering. Being free from attachment and letting others live is the foremost goal of this philosophical direction. The path to separation is also the path to peace and an essential component to being able to be happy.

The story goes that the two young students in every possible way tried to be less dependent on people and things. They ate only what was absolutely necessary. They fasted on certain days and did so with joy. They wore simple clothes and their rooms and beds were very spartan. None of this was perceived as a sacrifice as they did it to improve themselves.

A Zen story: A trip to the river that changed everything

One day the master asks his two disciples to accompany him to a nearby village. They should bring food as it is a very poor village. The story goes that both students enthusiastically accept the invitation. They also offer to carry the heavy baskets all the way to the village. When they arrive at the village, they humbly give away the food, happy to be able to help others.

When the time has come to return home , the Zen master suggests that they go for a walk in the forest near the monastery.  It is early in the morning and they all take in the beauty they observe in the flowers, the sky and the animals that surround them. There is also a river nearby. And what could bring greater happiness than drinking from the crystal clear water?

They walk together for a long time in silence. They enjoy the feeling of sun and wind against their face. They smell the plants and hear the birds chirping. After a while they reach the river. But they could not possibly have expected what would meet them there: a beautiful woman who smiles welcomingly at them.

A Zen tale with an unexpected twist

The two young monks are struck by the beauty of the unknown woman. She is the most beautiful woman they have ever seen. Both become very nervous and start walking, first slowly, then faster and faster. They stumble and fall and have completely forgotten what they were doing. They only have eyes for the beautiful woman.

When she sees how upset they are, she smiles flirtatiously at them. Then she asks in a seductive voice for help crossing the river. One of the young men runs forward to help her.  He takes her in his arms while the woman sends him suggestive glances. The young monk smiles. Then he crosses the river and sets her down on the other side before returning to the place he has left his master and his companion.

The master looks closely at his young disciple before continuing on his way. The other monk waits, curious about what will happen. He looks first at his master and then at his friend. When nothing happens, he purses his lips and does not say a word. They arrive at the monastery in silence.

A Zen story with a lesson

The days go by and the young monk is still waiting. He can not understand why the master has not said anything to his friend about his inappropriate behavior. How is it possible that the other young monk could give in to the woman’s charm and help her in front of the master’s eyes? Just the thought makes him furious.

The other young monk is calm. He continues as usual with his routines and does not even notice his friend’s anger. His relationship with the master is unchanged. None of them ever mention what happened to the beautiful woman. The friend’s rage begins to plague his mind.  One day he can no longer hold back his feelings and complains to the master.

” How is it possible that you did not say anything to him when he left you standing by the riverbank to go and flirt with an unknown woman? Are you not going to say anything to him? Why do you not scold him for his selfishness and lack of consideration? Why do you not punish him for giving in to his desires? ” asked the young monk.

The master sits and watches his young student in silence. Then he says something that the young monk will never forget. ” Your friend took the woman in his arms, helped her across the river and left her there. Unlike you, who have not been able to detach yourself from any of it. Not from your friend, not from the woman and not from the river. ”

What do you think we can learn from such a Zen story?