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MUDDY ROAD
A Zen Story Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling. Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection. “Come on girl," said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms , he carried her over the mud. Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself, "We monks don't go near females," he told Tanzan, “especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?" "I left the girl there," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying
her?”
1. What is the message of the parable?
2. What did Tanzan mean when he said to Ekido, “Are you still carrying her?”
3. Why do you think Tanzan is bothered after helping a lovely girl?
4. Do you think it is good to disobey one's rule just to help someone? Explain.
5. Helping is a good manner, but what is stopping the monk to do this?
MUDDY ROAD
A Zen Story Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling. Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection. “Come on girl," said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms , he carried her over the mud. Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself, "We monks don't go near females," he told Tanzan, “especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?" "I left the girl there," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying
her?”
1. What is the message of the parable?
2. What did Tanzan mean when he said to Ekido, “Are you still carrying her?”
3. Why do you think Tanzan is bothered after helping a lovely girl?
4. Do you think it is good to disobey one's rule just to help someone? Explain.
5. Helping is a good manner, but what is stopping the monk to do this?
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Answer:
1. The message of the parable differs from how a person interpret the story, since this was a discussion in our class, for me this meant "It is alright to break a rule to help people if the intent in is pure".
2. The meaning of "Are you still carrying her?" is Ekido is still thinking about the girl, like the 'girl' got stuck in Ekido's mind and therefore a "load that Ekido is carrying".
3. Since Tanzan's intention of helping the girl is pure, he isn't bothered by it nor does he feel convicted even after knowing he broke the rule.
4. In terms of religion rules, breaking a rule means you have sinned against the said religion and the God you serve, but the rule isn't and shouldn't be taken literally at all times, why do monks go near females for? For the reason that they might be tempted or that their resolve to be monk will waver.
5. Because the monk is not allowed to go near females especially the young and the lovely ones. And the monk might think that there will be punishment if they did that.