My pale Henry’s tales.

First, I would like to thank Mr. Henry Brunel for his book “Les plus beaux contes zen.” While not changing my life nor turning me into a Buddhist this book did give me some things to think about like : “Why the hell should I do this?” or “What the hell do I really want now?”. So I decided to traduce another one for you english speakers :

Once upon a time was a young monk walking around the city while carrying his empty bowl waiting for a charitable mind to give him some rice. It was a serious monk, really respectful toward traditions and the practice of zen. But, one night, the young monk went running to his master his heart was confused :
” Master, I’m consumed by a shameful desire, please help me, advise me!
- Speak. said the master wanting to help this novice.
- Well, master, everyday while walking around the city I come across a merchant that sells really delicious looking pastries, I can’t keep myself from wanting to taste one, I keep thinking about all the time! said the novice while lowering his head.
- Very well then, and, while reaching a bronze coin to give it to his novice, the master said : Go get yourself some of those pastries and eat them for me.”
Surprised the novice took the coin and went back to his room. Some days later, one night, the master summoned the novice.
“Tell me, did you appreciate the pastries?
- Well, master, yes … I think so.
- You think so? Weren’t you happy to eat what you desired for such a long time?
- Well, master, I was thinking how shameful I was, a monk eating pastries, it’s not very honorable, was it?”
Then the master understood that the desire that consumed his apprentice’s heart had been badly satisfied, and that it was still there, hidden within the shadowy corners of his heart, deep down his mind, like an obstacle on the path toward illumination.
The master gave the novice a silver coin and told him :
” I want you to buy some more pastries, eat them while facing the sun and the heaven, taste them slowly and fully, find them delicious. I want you to do so in honor of our temple, do it as an homage to Buddha, like it was your sacred duty to do so.”
So did the novice. And the desire once fulfilled fell from his heart like the skin after the slough. The young monk was free and the path toward the awakening was wide open.

Do you have any comments about this?