A fraudulent monk, lacking true enlightenment, called himself the “Master of Silence.” To hide his ignorance, he employed two eloquent attendants to answer questions on his behalf. To maintain an air of mystical profundity, he himself never spoke a word.
One day, while his attendants were away, a seeker arrived and asked: “Master, what is the Buddha?” Panicked, the impostor glanced around frantically, searching for his attendants. The seeker, satisfied, bowed and said: “Thank you for your wisdom!” before continuing his journey.
On the road, the seeker encountered the returning attendants and praised the “Master of Silence” as profoundly enlightened: “When I asked what the Buddha is, he turned his face east and west, teaching that people seek the Buddha everywhere, yet the Buddha cannot be found in any direction. What a profound master!”
When the attendants returned, the fake master scolded them angrily: “Where were you? I was nearly exposed by that nosy seeker!”
Cultural & Philosophical Notes
The Danger of Spiritual Fraud:
The “Master of Silence” symbolizes those who mimic enlightenment for status, relying on others (the attendants) to mask their ignorance. His silence, meant to deceive, ironically becomes a mirror for the seeker’s own projections.
The Illusion of Authority:
The seeker’s misinterpretation reflects humanity’s tendency to ascribe profundity to empty gestures, mistaking silence for wisdom. This mirrors the Buddhist warning against blind faith in teachers without testing their teachings.
The Buddha Within:
The seeker’s conclusion–“the Buddha cannot be found in any direction”–accidentally aligns with Zen’s teaching that Buddha-nature is not an external object but an inherent truth (tathatā). Ironically, the fraud’s panic inadvertently points to the futility of seeking enlightenment outwardly.
Karmic Irony:
The impostor’s fear of exposure contrasts with the seeker’s reverence. This highlights the karmic law that deception ultimately unravels, while sincere inquiry (even misguided) plants seeds of awakening.
The Emptiness of Labels:
Titles like “Master of Silence” are empty constructs. True enlightenment transcends labels and performances, rooted instead in authentic realization.
Leave a Reply