Limitless Compassion

clipmarks on April 16th, 2007 filed in Random Poems, Stray Thoughts

There are countless stories in the Buddhist scriptures about the expression of limitless compassion. None expresses this better than the following story from the Zen tradition.

Once there was a simple Buddhist monk by the name of Ryokan who lived in perpetual retreat in a small hut at the base of a mountain. One evening a thief broke into his hut only to discover it was empty. Ryokan returned and caught him.

“You have come a long way to visit me,” he told the prowler, “and you should not return empty-handed. Please take my clothes as a gift.”

The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away. Ryokan sat naked looking at the full moon.

“Poor fellow,” he mused, “I wish I could give him this beautiful moon, too.”

Clipped from www.freep.com

This event prompted Ryokan to compose one of his best known poems:

The thief left it behind:
the moon
at my window.

Technorati Tags: Buddhism, Compassion, Poetry, Ryokan, Stray Thoughts, Zen

2 Responses to “Limitless Compassion”

r.w.dean Says:
April 16th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Many years ago, I purchased two very little books that were filled with Haiku and Koans. They provided me with much comfort during difficult times. I should return to those thoughts now.
Áine Says:
April 19th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
“Other people feel this.”