A Lesson in divison
Hii Everyone!
I’ve always been a great fan of the ‘kōan‘ the short stories in Zen Buddhism.But a kōan may not be just a story, It can also be just a question or a statement.
Here is my attempt to write one.
A LESSON IN DIVISION
Once when a great king ruled over the region, a famous Zen master came to stay in the land. The king welcomed him grandly, for the master was known to be very wise and enlightened.
the king offered the master many gifts, but the master wanted none and all he asked for was a quiet place to do his penance & so in return, the king asked for counsel to rule his kingdom.
And so, after the mater had settled in a cave in the hills, the king was at his doorstep.
“i have a question to ask of you Good Sir.” the King said. “this question has troubled me since last fewness. i have been thinking about it so much, that i can’t even get any good sleep.”
the Zen master smiled. “Ask away,” he said, ” and i will clear all your doubts.”
“the question goes like this” the king said,” i have three coins. But i have only two sons. how shall i divide three coins into two sons?”
the Zen master smiled. “it is quite a simple matter.” he said. “you shall take one coin & give it to the elder son because he is elder & so must be dealt with first. Then, you shall take one coin & give it to the younger son. each son gets one coin, so everything is fair & no son is angry.”
“that is quite alright” the king said, ” But what of the third coin?”
“it is very simple.” the master said with a smile. “the third coin, you shall give to me, because i have helped you to solve this question.”
“you have a great way of explaining things.” the king said, and thanking the master, left.
Days passed & the king was back at the cave looking for the master.
“i have a question to ask you very good master!” the king said, ” one that is again giving me sleepless nights.”
“ask away then.” the master said.
“well it goes like this.” the king said,” i have two coins & three sons. Now how am i to divide two coins in three sons!”
” a trivial task” the master said, ” you shall take one coin & give it to the elder son. Then, you shall take another coin & give it to the middle son.”
“and then?” the king asked eagerly.
” And then,” the master said, ” i will give you the third coin which you gave me earlier and you shall give it to the third son. As all the sons have their coins, everyone is happy.”
the king smiled for his problem was solved and bowed to the master and left. The next day, however, he was at the cave again.
“What’s it now?” The Zen master asked.
“Again a small question, Master!” the King bowed.
“Well, ask away then.”
The King cleared his throat. “Well, it goes like this.” He said, “I have three sons, and I want to distribute two coins amongst them.”
“Whoa, whoa, Stop!” The Master said, “We’eve already been through this one.”
“Of Course.” The King said, “But now there is no One coin with you.” There was a grin on the King’s face.
The Zen Master sighed. “Okay.” He said, “you shall take one coin & give it to the elder son. Then, you shall take another coin & give it to the middle son.”
“And Next?” The King was laughing to himself now.
“And then, you shall take one more coin and give it to the third son.” The Master finished.
“But i don’t have one more coin, Master!” The King exclaimed.
“Oh , you’re a King.” The Master waved, “You have all the coins in the world!”
From that day onwards, the King never disturbed the master for trivial problems.
THE END
Have a good day y’all
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