Once, a young monk approached a Zen master and posed a question that weighed heavily on his mind. "Master," he asked, "what is the greatest value in my life?" The Zen master, known for his profound wisdom, replied with a simple task.
"Go to the back garden," the master instructed, "pick up a large stone, and take it to the market to sell. When someone asks for the price, don't speak—just show them two fingers. And if they try to bargain with you, do not sell it. Bring the stone back to me, and then I shall reveal the greatest value in your life."
The following morning, the young monk embarked on his mission, carrying the stone to the bustling market. A curious housewife approached him and inquired about the stone's price. Instead of uttering a word, the monk displayed two fingers. The housewife, misunderstanding the gesture, offered two dollars. Unswayed, the monk shook his head. The housewife, intrigued, increased her bid to twenty dollars, planning to use the stone as a tool for pressing pickled vegetables.
Pondering the situation, the young monk realized that someone was willing to pay twenty dollars for what he considered a worthless stone. After all, their mountain was abundant with similar stones. Filled with a sense of wonder, he chose not to sell the stone and returned to the Zen master with a joyful heart.
The monk eagerly recounted the housewife's offer to the Zen master, hoping to finally uncover the secret of life's greatest value. The master, wearing a warm smile, simply said, "Take the stone to the museum tomorrow. Once again, show two fingers if someone asks for the price. And if they attempt to negotiate, bring it back to me, and we shall converse further."
The following day, the monk arrived at the museum with the stone, which quickly attracted a curious crowd. Among them, a person offered an astonishing two thousand dollars for the stone, intending to carve a statue from it. Overwhelmed by the unexpected bid, the young monk faithfully followed the master's guidance and declined the offer, returning to seek further wisdom.
Excitedly, the monk relayed the extraordinary turn of events to the Zen master, who chuckled in amusement. "Take the stone to an antique shop tomorrow," the master advised. "If someone bargains with you, bring it back, and I will reveal the greatest value in your life."
The next day, as the monk presented the stone to the curious patrons of the antique shop, the atmosphere grew even more charged. A person offered twenty thousand dollars, leaving the monk astounded. But the bid swiftly escalated to a staggering two hundred thousand dollars, causing the monk's eyes to widen with astonishment. Overwhelmed by the potential fortune, he hurriedly returned to the Zen master to seek his guidance.
Breathless and filled with anticipation, the young monk shared the incredible offer of two hundred thousand dollars with the Zen master. In response, the master gazed at the monk with affectionate eyes and gently uttered, "My child, the greatest value in your life is like this stone."
Perplexed, the young monk sought clarification. The Zen master continued, "If you place yourself in a vegetable market, you may be worth twenty dollars. If you position yourself in a museum, your worth may rise to two thousand dollars. And if you position yourself in an antique shop, your worth may soar to two hundred thousand dollars. Different platforms and positions bring different values to your life."
The master imparted a valuable lesson: life is filled with countless possibilities, and we each possess the power to shape our journey. Similar to the stone's changing value, our worth is not fixed but can fluctuate depending on the
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Anna_K.
A soulful content writer who artfully intertwines the beauty of life, the depth of love, the intricacies of psychology, and the power of friendship in their words.
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