Zen Story: Near the end of his long life, the Zen Master questioned himself about love.
By emptychair
@innertalks (23747)
Australia
February 24, 2021 7:54pm CST
Love was on the mind of the old Zen master, Treler Fruposhe.
He had lived a long life, and he had never married.
Had he missed out on something valuable, or not?
It was true that he had experienced love.
He loved his students, as if they were all his own sons, and daughters.
He had met many woman, but he never felt the inclination to marry, as he was more married to his pursuit of Zen.
And so, the old man, at 83, was feeling a little cold, as the warmth of a realer love had never been allowed to reach his shores, that is, if the love of a woman, or a partner, was a realer love, than what his love for his students was.
"No,"
he thought",
"Love is love. And I loved with all my person, so I did experience love."
He was found dead in his easy chair, with a huge smile on his face.
He had loved, he had known love, and he had been loved.
A full life indeed!
Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com
short story, love, Zen, Zen master, true love
He died with a huge smile on his face. One with love behind it.
6 people like this
5 responses
@RasmaSandra (98187)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Feb 21
Love is the greatest emotion a person can experience. There are so many different kinds of love that if a person experiences at least one of them in his or her life he or she are very lucky. I took my losses when I lost my soul mate and that was true love knowing I would never ever have this kind of love again in my life I am content to remember and have my special memories, Other than that my love for my faith and the Lord help me to go on with all my days,
3 people like this
@innertalks (23747)
• Australia
25 Feb 21
Yes, you were lucky, to find your soul mate.
The Zen master did not do that, but he realised at the end of his long life, that he had indeed experienced love, despite his questioning himself, and even doubting the value of his own life, over this.
To have missed out on love, would be very hard for anyone, and the Zen master realised that he too had been blessed with knowing, and receiving, and giving love too.
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
25 Feb 21
This is awesome. Not many can say that.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
25 Feb 21
There is nothing on earth, better than a person who loves exactly what he loves and so lives it, and are complete. Wow great story.
3 people like this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
25 Feb 21
@innertalks Yeah, that was so smooth. So many don't have that peace and assurance.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23747)
• Australia
25 Feb 21
@popciclecold Thanks, yes, I would like to find it too, before I die. Sometimes, I do need some extra peace and assurance too.
@Shiva49 (28409)
• Singapore
25 Feb 21
As long as he experienced realer love, then the Zen Master had a fulfilling life.
He touched many a life too and that counts.
There are various types of love.
I have seen a few soulmates and their lives are the embodiment of pure love for each other bordering on the ecstatic.
Normally, we can invite the love we yearn through our behavior.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23747)
• Australia
25 Feb 21
Yes, if we give out love, in a kind, considerate, and compassionate way, we invite others to give love back to us then too, in the same way too.
@innertalks (23747)
• Australia
25 Feb 21
@Shiva49 If everything goes back to God, and is ultimately still all a part of his oneness, nothing can ever be wasted. All is being gainfully used in God's plan, in one way, or another.
For sure, though, this is more obvious with love.
@Shiva49 (28409)
• Singapore
25 Feb 21
@innertalks And when we give out love it is never wasted - it touches all positively.
And people yearn to receive and give love too.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
28 Feb 21
that is a great story - and a life lesson to boot!
2 people like this
@innertalks (23747)
• Australia
28 Feb 21
Yes, he booted himself into the next life, with a shiny smile on his face, even though his boots, were perhaps all but now worn out, and lost their shine, altogether.
@innertalks (23747)
• Australia
28 Feb 21
@DocAndersen Thanks, for reading my efforts here too.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
28 Feb 21
@innertalks it really is a story to cause thought! thank you so much!
2 people like this
@youfiq (2564)
• United States
26 Feb 21
I also think that he has found true love, a love that no longer clings to someone, a love that is purer and broader in meaning, as vast as the deepest ocean floor, and dislikes it, I think we will find it difficult to achieve it, love that pure love, a love that made him die in his easy chair smiling
2 people like this
@innertalks (23747)
• Australia
1 Mar 21
@Shiva49 They say that even a forced smile will work backwards to create inner joy too, as it connects us to the love in our hearts.
@Shiva49 (28409)
• Singapore
2 Mar 21
@innertalks At times the mind is willing but the body is not!
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28409)
• Singapore
1 Mar 21
@innertalks Die with a smile on his face shows he had a blessed life.
I see lots of people my age with more of a frown as the world is leaving them behind.
In a way like when the herd is running away from predators
I have to force some smile too at times.
1 person likes this
