In the Emei Mountain in Shu (Sichuan Province) there were many monasteries. The monks in the big monasteries were rich, while those in the smaller ones were poor.
One day, a poor monk from a smaller monastery went to take his leave of a rich monk in a big monastery, for he was going on a pilgrimage to the Putuo Mountain on an island in the East Sea. It was a long way off, more than three thousand li, and many high mountains and deep waters had to be negotiated.
The rich monk was puzzled.
“What will you need to take with you?” he asked.
“Only a pitcher and a bowl,” said the other. “I’ll use the pitcher for water and the bowl to beg for rice.”
“I’ve been planning to go to the Putuo myself,” said the rich monk. “I have been preparing for it for several years but I’m still held up for the lack of one thing or another. I’m afraid you’re taking it a bit
too easy!”
After a little over a year, the poor monk came back from his pilgrimage and told the rich monk all about his journey.
Although a little abashed, the rich monk still maintained that he had not yet completed his preparations for the journey.
Allegorical Meaning
The story, from Bai He Tang Ji (White Crane Hall Collection) by Peng Duanshu, contrasts dreaming versus doing and demonstrates that determination and decisive action overcome material limitations, while excuses and hesitation guarantee failure.
The Central Dichotomy:
- The Poor Monk: Possesses minimal resources, faces significant hardship, yet possesses unyielding resolve. His action-oriented mindset leads to success.
- The Rich Monk: Possesses ample resources, but is paralyzed by hesitation, over-preparation, and fear of difficulty. His excuse-driven mindset ensures failure.
Satire on Procrastination & Excuse-Making:
The rich monk doesn’t truly desire the goal enough to act decisively. His “planning” becomes a perpetual excuse for inaction.
The Triumph of Will over Wealth:
- Material resources are neutral. They only become valuable when coupled with action.
- The poor monk’s lack of wealth is irrelevant because his spiritual resources (courage, perseverance, faith in his goal) are abundant. He focuses on what he can do rather than what he lacks.
- The story critiques dependency on external conditions as a barrier to achievement. True limitation lies in the mind, not the pocketbook.
Leave a Reply