Once upon a time, there was an ancient temple on a mountain where an old Zen master and a young monk lived. One day, the young monk, feeling curious, decided to ask his teacher about the wisdom of Zen meditation and how life changes after enlightenment.
With humility, the young monk asked, “Respected Master, has your life changed after enlightenment?” The old Zen master smiled and replied, “Going up the mountain, chopping wood, cooking meals. It was the same before enlightenment, and it remains the same after enlightenment.”
The young monk, still confused, did not understand what the master meant. So, the old Zen master instructed the young monk to go up the mountain to chop wood and then come back to discuss the question after cooking a meal.
After preparing the meal, the young monk returned to the old Zen master, who asked, “What have you realized today?” The young monk honestly replied, “Master, I haven’t learned anything. This morning, I hurried to the mountain to chop wood and then quickly came back to cook the meal, all just to wait for you to tell me the meaning of enlightenment.”
The old Zen master smiled and asked the young monk again, “Did you go up the mountain to chop wood, chop wood to cook meals, and cook meals to seek an answer?” The young monk thought for a moment and said, “Yes, these were the tasks I wanted to complete today. So, what is the difference between what you do every day and what I did?”
The old Zen master gently patted the young monk’s shoulder and said, “I go up the mountain to go up the mountain, chop wood to chop wood, and cook meals to cook meals.”
Still not quite understanding, the young monk listened as the old Zen master explained in a serene tone, “When our hearts are filled with desires and purposes, we might overlook the details and beauty around us. When you went up the mountain, did you appreciate the scenery along the way? When chopping wood, did you notice the changes in the branches through different seasons? When cooking, did you consider how to make the food more delicious?”
The young monk began to realize something, and the old Zen master continued, “When we wholeheartedly engage in what we do, without distraction, we can achieve results that others cannot match. This focus and attentive attitude apply to both learning and work. Unfortunately, modern people often chase endless desires. They work hard just to make money; make money just to gain fame; gain fame, only to crave power. This endless desire causes people to lose themselves, obscuring the beautiful scenery right in front of them.”
Dear friends, I hope this story inspires you to learn to enjoy each beautiful day.