After
having won many archery contests, the town champion went to the Zen master.
– I
am the best of all, he said.
– I
didn't study religion, never sought help from the monks, and succeeded in
becoming the finest archer in the whole region.
I
heard that, for a time, you were the best archer in the region, and ask you:
Was it necessary to become a monk in order to learn to shoot?
– No,
replied the Zen master.
But
the champion was not satisfied: He took an arrow, placed it in the bow, fired
it and hit a cherry which was very far away.
Smiling,
as if to say: “You might have saved your time, devoting yourself only to
technique.” And he said:
– I
doubt whether you could do that
Without
looking in the least bit worried, the master went inside, fetched his bow, and
began to walk towards a nearby mountain.
On
the way, there was an abyss which could only be crossed by an old bridge made
of rotting rope, and which was almost collapsing.
The
Zen master went to the middle of the bridge, took his bow and placed an arrow
in it, then aimed at a tree on the far side of the precipice, and hit his
target.
– Now
it is your turn
He
kindly told the young man, as he returned to firm ground.
Terrified
as he gazed down at the abyss below his feet, the young man went to the spot
and fired, but his arrow veered wide of the mark.
–
That is why the discipline of meditation was worthwhile
Concluded
the master, when the young man returned to him.
“You
may have great skill with the instrument you choose for your livelihood, but it
us useless, if you cannot command the mind which uses that instrument.”
