BodhiTales

A collection of Buddhist stories for children and young adolescents.
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Zen Tales: Section I
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No Compassion
No Water No Moon
No Work No Food
Nothing Exists
Obedience
Real Prosperity
Right and Wrong
Soldiers of Humanity
Temper
The Giver should be ...
The Real Miracle
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No Compassion

An old woman had supported a monk for twenty years now.

She wanted to know what inner realization the monk had achieved.

 

She sent for a beautiful girl.

“I want you to go to the monk.

Give him a warm hug and then ask him, <what now?>

 

The girl did as she was told.

Afterwards, she told the old woman that the monk said to her poetically,

<An old tree grows on a cold rock in winter.

There is no warmth to be found anywhere.>

 

The old woman was furious when she heard the recount.

“To think that I sheltered and fed him for all those years.

He showed no consideration for your need.

He did not care to show you the Dharma.

He has no passion,

but where is his compassion?”

 

She kicked the monk out and burnt down the hut.