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Quoted without context, this is misleading other commenters. As wpietri commented: The point is that the teacher refused to be put on a pedestal. The teacher
by eeZah7Ux 9y ago
Quoted without context, this is misleading other commenters.
As wpietri commented: The point is that the teacher refused to be put on a pedestal.
The teacher was referring to his position within the monastic community, not making a general rule of not feeding the hungry unless they work.
On the contrary, Zen (and Buddhism in general) always emphasized unconditional and selfless compassion.
- wpietri 9y agoAbsolutely. The teacher was clearly speaking in a very particular context. It's, "If I am not allowed to work, I refuse to eat." Even in the same book, there are plenty of other stories that make different but complimentary points. E.g., "The Stingy Artist": http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/47thestingyartist.html http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/47thestingyartist.html Or the one about the Zen master and a thief who tries to rob him: http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/44thethiefwhobecameadisciple.html http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/44thethiefwhobecameadiscip...