Wisdom 101

PREFACE

We are blessed with enormous wealth of wisdom, passed on to us from generation to generation, in the form of short stories. These stories are like flashes of lightning that give us a glimpse of enlightenment. They raise us to a level from where we get a totally different perspective on life. They teach us instantly what hours of discourse may fail to do. These stories reveal deeper and deeper secrets of life as we grow in our experiences.

In many ancient cultures around the globe, wise men have used these stories to educate the masses around them.

Buddha said, I have taught the truth which is excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end; it is glorious in its spirit and glorious in its letter. But simple as it is, the people cannot understand it. I must speak to them in their own language. I must adapt my thoughts to their thoughts. They are like unto children, and love to hear tales. Therefore, I will tell them stories to explain the glory of the Dharma. If they cannot grasp the truth in the abstract arguments by which I have reached it, they may nevertheless come to understand it, if it is illustrated in parables.

Here is my attempt to reintroduce you to this treasure.

These stories have been forwarded to me by friends over the last decade. Though I do not know their true origin, I salute all those wise men who created this treasure for us and all those friends who passed it on to me. I do not claim any credit for this work. Any earning from this book will go to charity.

DDG

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Contents

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TIPS FOR USING THIS BOOK

Most of you must have come across some of these stories at some time. However we quickly forget about those in our busy chorus. To get the best out of these stories, I thought about this innovative approach. I suggest you read a story carefully and write your first reaction to it. You may give a name or write a line about the moral of the story. For some time, maybe for a day or two, meditate on the story, and try to understand the deeper meaning of it with the help of your life experiences. Revisit the story page and write your new understanding about the story, and notice the quantum jump in your own understanding of the situation. You can repeat these steps occasionally or just read your notes periodically. Maybe you can share your book with your loved ones, and get their perceptions on the story too.

Remember what Socrates said, I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.

May the wisdom of these stories be bestowed upon us and help us become better human beings!

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1

Once upon a time, there lived an old man in Basra, who has invested all his money on his only son’s education. The young man went away for a few years and acquired an education at a well-known university under the great scholars of that age.

The day had arrived for the son to return from his studies, and the old man waited at the door for his son. When the son came and met his father, the old man looked into his eyes and felt great disappointment.

What have you learned, my son? he asked.

I have learned everything there was to be learned, Father, he said.

But have you learned what cannot be taught? asked the father. Go, my son, and learn what cannot be taught, said the old man.

The young man went back to his master and asked him to teach him what cannot be taught. Go away to the mountains with these hundred sheep, and come back when they are one thousand, said the master.

The young man went to the mountains and became a shepherd. There for the first time he encountered silence. He had no one to talk to. The sheep did not understand his language. In his desperation, he would talk to them, but they would look back at him as if to say he was stupid. Slowly but surely he began to forget all his worldly knowledge, his ego, his pride, and he became quiet like the sheep; and great wisdom and humility came to him.

At the end of two years, when the number of sheep had grown to one thousand, he returned to his master and fell on his feet.

Now you have learned what cannot be taught, said the master.

2

A university professor went to visit a famous master to learn about Zen. While the master quietly served tea, the professor kept talking about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself.

It’s overfull! No more will go in! the professor blurted.

You are like this cup, the master replied. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup ?

3

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day, the boy had driven thirty-seven nails into the