It was a busy week at the shop. Well, busy for me-hence your Friday post coming to you on Sunday.
The last video on my YouTube channel was a Q&A from viewers. The questions were great, and I hope my answers did them justice. If you haven't seen it, and would like to, you can watch it here. The last question really forced me to examine what exactly it is I'm doing here.
Afterwords I received a message from the asker of said last question. The message included a short story from Zen Buddhism. Coincidentally, I had been clearing out some old books a month or so prior, and found the same story stuffed in one of the books. It had been in there at least 20 years.
Zen and the Art of Bicycle Riding
A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastery and had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?"
The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the first student, "You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do."
The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!" The teacher commended the second student, "Your eyes are open, and you see the world."
The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel."
The fourth student replied, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings." The teacher was pleased, and said to the fourth student, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming."
The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said, "I am your student!"
My wish for each of you is to ride your bicycle to ride your bicycle.
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What I'm reading:
What is Tao? Allan Watts https://amzn.to/37enn2o I’ve had a fascination with Eastern philosophy for quite a while. No one seems to put it in words I understand like Allan Watts.
What is Zen? https://amzn.to/3bdPd1a
Buddhism Without Belief https://amzn.to/2PodLfe
The sunshine has sure been nice. It's about time to go for a bicycle ride.