The Difference Between A Little Man And A Man Of Tao

Anecdotes

oi-Staff

By Staff

Monday, July 27, 2009, 15:02

A student once asked a Zen master, "What is the difference between a little man and a man of Tao?".

The Zen master clarified, "Its simple, when a little man first becomes a student, he is in such a hurry to rush home and tell every one at the top of his voice. On hearing the master's words, he will climb on the roof and shout loudly to the people, on learning about the ways of the master, he would go about the town telling everyone about his newly acquired knowledge".

The Zen master says of the Tao man. "When a Tao man becomes a student, he will first bow his head in gratitude. On hearing the words of the master, he will bow his head and his shoulders and on knowing the ways of the master, he will bow further low up to his waist and walk alongside the wall in order to avoid people from spotting or noticing him"