Zen story: Favouritism is not necessarily just about our having favourites
By emptychair
@innertalks (23746)
Australia
January 7, 2023 11:04pm CST
The old Zen master, Dolzen Fulshon, told his students that a Zen master must not have favourites amongst his students, as every student deserves his fullness of teaching too.
But then, it was noticed that he seemed to be grooming a certain student as his successor.
When asked about this, he simply replied:
"l have no favourites, but some students are more ready than others."
"I work with the readiest of students to ensure they are really ready for their new role, after my passing."
"God does not show favouritism, and neither do I."
"God does choose certain people for certain jobs, though, and so do l need to choose someone to take over from me too, when the time is right, for this to happen."
"Favouritism leads to distrusting of the person favouring someone, for some reason of their own."
"Nevertheless, we do have favourites, in some things."
"I like my oats, for breakfast, for example. We can have favourite foods then. This is a preference, though."
"We can have favourites, though, without showing any favouritism."
"The favourites of God, are the servers of God, because his love touches them with itself, totally so, whereas a non-server of God is not touched with love so strongly, because they are more touching the temple of ego instead, and following it, rather than their heart of love."
And so, the Zen master had come full circle here, and largely contradicted his original thought. And yet, favourites are favourites, because they serve life, God, and others, from love.
A favourite is not shown favouritism, but is loved for who he is within himself.
The old master picked the student that was most worthy of the role, as his successor. It belonged to him. The most loving student was the most worthy one too.
Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com
The old Zen master was old and feeble now, but he was still able enough to pick the right successor, for himself, from amongst his students.
4 people like this
4 responses
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
8 Jan 23
Yes, a good teacher can spot the standout amongst the students, and so will enjoy teaching that student too.
We do need to try to teach all students as best we can though, whilst tailoring our approach to best suit each type of student too.
@crossbones27 (53005)
• Mojave, California
8 Jan 23
Thats totally true and never had a problem with that but still have to take the time for the rest. Its also why teachers and genius's go, I never help you as much because I already know you gonna be alright. That stuff is when I know there is good intellects and teachers in the house. Marines were amazing with that and why I have a hard time talking smack about them.
3 people like this
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
8 Jan 23
Yes, sometimes, a teacher, or a Zen master, can see the potential in someone, and so will spend more time with a wayward student, to ensure, they progress more on the path.
This story is an example of this:
"The great master Bankei’s meditation classes attracted students from all over Japan.
During one of these courses, a student was caught stealing. The incident was brought to Bankei’s notice. He chose, however, to disregard it. A few days later, the pupil was again caught stealing. Bankei was informed and again, he took no action! This greatly agitated the other students. They approached the master with a petition they had drawn up asking for the student’s dismissal, failing which, they would leave the course en masse.
Bankei read through their demands, and then summoned them all before him.
'Dear brothers, you are indeed wise. You know the difference between right and wrong. You may leave if you wish and pursue your studies elsewhere. But this poor brother cannot tell what is right and what is wrong. If I do not teach him, who will? I have decided therefore to keep him, even if all of you leave!'
Tears coursed down the face of the erring student. He had no desire left to steal."
https://blog.buddhagroove.com/zen-story-bankeis-cure/
@crossbones27 (53005)
• Mojave, California
8 Jan 23
@innertalks It really does take a lot of work just to have true balance in this world.
4 people like this
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
8 Jan 23
@crossbones27 Yes, and the one trying to achieve such balance in the world, it helps him, or her, if they are Zen masters, with such compassionate insight, as which Bankei had there.
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
8 Jan 23
That is true, in its way, but there is also a call for a master, like with Bankei, above, to work with the mediocre students too, and to work harder with them, as perhaps their true potential is just covered over with outward badness of mind for now, but their heart can still be reached by a master knowing how to reach it,
@Shiva49 (28402)
• Singapore
9 Jan 23
@innertalks Yes, a lot of tunneling may be needed to reach the heart of some as they are recalcitrant. And some world leaders are unique as they don't have a heart in the way they treat others - "off with their heads" without even taking a second look!
Maybe the Zen master took an attitude of "as long as it takes' and no one should be left behind.
But he knew he should not burden the monastery with a misfit.
I have seen some parents with admirable patience when dealing with their autistic children.
They spent more time and resources on them at the cost of others but that shows love.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28402)
• Singapore
10 Jan 23
@innertalks I have heard some parents having favorites when it comes to their children. If it is apparent, then that can affect those who feel deprived.
My parents were equally loving of their three sons. That made us look after them by taking turns.
It involved lots of effort as their final years were spent in India while we were abroad.
However, we can understand their extra concern and care when their children are not independent due to medical issues.
1 person likes this
@BloggerDi (3121)
• United States
11 Jan 23
I've been thinking and learning a lot recently about the role of ego vs love in our behavior as humans.
Your post, the comments and links provide so much great food for thought! Thanks.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
11 Jan 23
Thanks. I like to write these short stories that give food for thought.
Ego should always sit behind love, not in front of love.
If we place ego first, our total loving will suffer, because some of it is being distorted by going through our ego wants, desires, and greedy pursuits, first.
