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Roving Over The World
- Book 111: Roving Over The World
- Chapter 23:
Aboriginal On The Coconut Tree
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated by Janny Chow
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When in Bahama Islands, we took a ferry to an island called Sute. It is a beautiful tropical island that is full of coconut trees, white beaches and clean water. I was told the movie \`Blue Coral Reef\` was filmed there.
Although the afternoon sun was on top of us, we did not feel the heat at all, as it was very breezy. Many of my disciples immediately changed into swimming suits and went into the water.
Admiring the tall palm trees, I went into the water to watch tropical fishes swimming between the coral reefs. I even took a nap on the hammock hanged between palm trees. Then I walked towards the bushes.
A tall and thin middle-aged aboriginal walked towards me. He was blushing although he looked stout. His hands and legs were big, he wore a sarong and bared his top.
\`Do you want to drink coconut juice?\`
\`How much?\`
\`As you please.\`
\`Where is the coconut?\` He was empty-handed.
\`Right on the coconut trees.\`
But the coconut trees were very tall.
He was very agile. Using his hands and legs together, like a monkey, he climbed to the top of the coconut tree in no time.
He plucked the coconuts and made instant sales. We were amazed at his climbing skill.
The way he climbed the tree reminded me of the Bihugong (The Skills of a Lizard) we encountered in the Chinese Boxing story books. It also reminded me of the Japanese Ninja, who after arduous training was able to climb the roofs easily.
What we saw in the movie were mostly camera tricks. But this was no movie, the coconut tree was tall and upright; and the aboriginal did not use any rope or climbing equipment, and yet he was able to climb the tree swiftly as if he was walking on the floor.
We acclaimed the climbing skill as the acme of perfection.
After the marvel, I asked myself. \`Can you?\`
\`Of course, I can`t.\`
I cannot do many things. Although I claim to be an enlightened person who know the truth in the universe. I can explain dharma , write, paint, sing, dance, act, parachute, swim.......
I am second to none in practical cultivation and spiritual accomplishment.
Despite realizing the meaning of Anasrvara (Outside of the stream of transmigratory suffering) and comprehending the concept of \`voidness\` in full, I am still unable to climb the coconut tree. I really do not know how. For a middle-aged man, I take pride in my physical fitness, I am still able to do gymnastic movements. But I do not think I can climb a coconut tree, let alone till the field, weave, cook , or build a house.
I don`t even know how to count my money. I do not know how to issue a cheque. Worse still, I have never been to a bank. Sometimed, I can`t distinguish my left from my right. I confess to not knowing many things.
Once a disciple who had a Phd told me: \`Grandmaster, it is not an amazing achievement to have a doctoral degree. It only acknowleges a person as an expert in a certain field, and not every field. He may be totally ignorant in other fields. As knowlege is boundless, we are not expected to know every thing. Human beings are really very insignificant\`.
\`But I really do not know how to climb a coconut tree !\` I said.
My disciple asked me again: \`Indeed you do not know how to climb a coconut tree. But you can ask the aboriginal whether he knows any thing about Buddhism?\`
\`I believe he does not know.\`
\`That is right, we are capable of doing something, and incompetent in others. Even a Buddha faces three impossibilities.\` A Buddha cannot:
a. Annihilate karma,
b. Save unconditionally, and
c. End the realm of the living.
These words rattle in my mind.
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