Master Bao and the Three Paths
The path we choose is the foundation of our growth
A story from the Tang Dynasty (608–917 CE)
Master Bao rode his ox, Xi, along a country trail in the Providence of Wei. His student, Ping, walked alongside.
“We will soon come to a place where the road branches, Ping. I want you to think deeply about each path before we continue our journey.”
An hour later, the trail split into three roads.
A large sign said the wide boulevard to the left led to Jing Shi.
“Jing Shi is a city of commerce, student Ping. It is located on a busy canal that connects two major rivers. It is said the sun never sets on Jing Shi, for the parties in the large houses go all night. The Willow Quarter is busy all hours of the day, and the Courtesans are noted for their singing and creative abilities. Expensive wines are brought by the ships using the canal, and goods from around the Empire are available to purchase.”
Student Ping simply nodded.
“This middle road,” the Monk went on, “while not as wide as the one to Jing Shi, is of packed earth, with colorful flowers along its edge. It leads to the town of Chi Zhen. Master craftsmen live in this town, and some of the most beautiful silk cloth with exquisite embroidery is found here. Both men and women are hard-working, honest and happy. The fields surrounding Chi Zhen are fertile with grain, and its rice paddies are bountiful.”
Student Ping simply nodded.
The road to the right was really a dirt trail, boarded by tall trees, and appeared little used. Grass sprouted between cart tracks.
“Where does this third tract lead, Master?” Ping asked.
“This is the beginning of the trail that leads to the Shen Monastery of the White Clouds. It lies in the mountains,” Master Bao responded.
Ping folded his hands into his capacious sleeves, raised his hands to eye level, and bowed. “Master, please inform this ignorant pupil. Is there something else I should know about these three roads?”
“Yes, Ping. The first road, to Jing Shi, is wide, well-tended, but it is very long for the traveler. It favors those with wealth enough to own a horse or a palanquin.”
Ping simply nodded.
“The second road, to Chi Zhen, is more difficult. It is also long and is mostly up a steep grade. It is a hard path, with a few obstructions, but leads to a place of happiness and satisfaction for most.”
Ping nodded. “And the third, Master? The one to the monastery?”
“That is the most difficult of all, Student Ping. It’s a long, rocky, mountain trail beset by hardship, danger from the cold, and cruel bandits who lie in wait. Only the strong will arrive at the Shen Monastery of the White Clouds. Others will turn back.
“Once there, however, the kindly monks will provide a safe and peaceful home for the weary traveler. The pilgrim will drink from the clear mountain stream which is said to refresh above all others, and eat fresh food from the gardens tended by the monks. The traveler will need to carry water and chop wood to help maintain the monastery, but equanimity, peace, and understanding of life is possible at this monastery in the clouds.”
Ping smiled and nodded.
“Remember, the path we choose becomes the foundation of our growth from body, to energy, to spirit,” said Master Bao.”
Ping smiled and nodded,
“Which path do we take, Student Ping?”
Ping thought for a long time, then bowed again to the Monk.
“I have seen little of the world, Master, and am ignorant of most things. Only an Enlightened Master such as yourself can answer so important a question.”
Master Bao smiled. “You have grown in wisdom, Ping. The difficult path to the Shen Monastery of the White Clouds is the way we will someday take.
“But today, let us travel the road to Jing Shi, and see what we can learn. There are many lessons for us among people who are concerned only with wealth, power, and comfort. The inhabitants of this city are entangled in their bodies’ energies.
“Later, we will travel to Chi Zhen, for lessons of hard work and satisfaction. The people of this town are happy with their lot in this life. They will teach us much about living with our heart energies.
“Finally, Ping, we will take the difficult path to enlightenment and equanimity. The Shen Monastery of White Cloud is closest to the Dao.
“It is there, embracing the essence of the spirit of the natural world, we will learn the lessons of truly becoming One With the Dao.”
“And from there, Master?” Ping asked.
“We then travel back to help others, and wait on the Will of Heaven to guide us.”
This is an original draft. Never published before anywhere.
