A Story that could change your life
When the old monks passed away, their laughter was their only prayer. All of their teachings came from the joy they experienced. The people of China had never known such spiritual teachers before or after. They seemed to communicate that life should be taken only as a great opportunity to laugh. The monks traveled and laughed for many years, spreading joy and happiness throughout China. One day, one of the monks died. The people were shocked and ran away from the scene. However, the two remaining monks were still laughing hard. They laughed and laughed until they couldn't stop. Some good people who were assisting approached them and asked them why they weren't mourning. The monks finally responded that yesterday on their way to the village, their friend had proposed a bet: who would beat the other two and die first? The old monk won, so he had a testament prepared - the tradition required to wash the dead and change his clothes before putting him on the funeral pyre. However, the old monk wanted to leave his old clothes on him since he had never been filthy for one day. So his body was placed on the pyre with the garments he was wearing when he had arrived. As soon as the fire was lit and started licking on his clothes, fireworks of a hundred colors went exploding up and down, all directions! Finally, everyone who had gathered there also joined in laughing - even those who had been grieving for their deceased friend! You see, in life we're here only for a short time so we can experience joy and laughter repeatedly. Next time you have a problem, take a moment to laugh at it instead of getting upset. That's what will make you live - this is your opportunity to be happy!