Short Story: The cemetery koan
@innertalks (21919)
Australia
January 26, 2023 3:33am CST
The old Zen master, Riplick Zerploxki, had his own burial plot already allocated to him by his own master.
It was next to this master, and, it formed a long line of the past masters of that monastery too.
The master put this koan to his students about this.
"Why was this custom followed in his monastery?"
What was the answer to his koan?
The master then answered his own question, like this:
"Customs are carried on to remind us of the reason for life, to celebrate death, and to connect the two together."
"The past must not be forgotten, but built upon."
"Death is just another one of the secrets of life. Each life reveals more about death, as well as more about life."
"Cemeteries remind us of the order of life, first life, then death, but the qualities inherent in the cemetery, we should embrace in our lives too, like peacefulness, a silent quietness, and an unspoiled calmness too."
Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com
There is a certain pristineness of love in cemeteries too.
3 people like this
2 responses
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
26 Jan 23
Oh yes cemeteries are so peaceful..usually.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21919)
• Australia
26 Jan 23
I like the great restful peace that l feel whenever l visit my Mum, there.
The cemetery is not near a busy road, and is quiet, and meaningful, to walk thoughtfully through.
The roses there are nice too.
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
27 Jan 23
@innertalks It must be lovely. My Mom's grave is nice too the place there quiet.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21919)
• Australia
27 Jan 23
@RebeccasFarm Yes, most cemeteries are well placed, except for when change happens, and a major highway then sides them. It is hard to move an existing cemetery.
The one where l live now fronts a busy road, so l will not choose to be buried there, and will probably join my mother and father, in their one.
