Toastmasters-Speech 6
During the rule of King Harshavardhana,
He once heard of a monk living on top of the mountain. He decided to meet the monk despite the risks involved.
When he reached the foot of the mountain, he saw a narrow, winding irregular path that seems to lead to the heavens. In his eagerness to meet the monk, he did not notice the lush green forest, the sparkling streams & the silky clouds lazily floating in the sky. When he reached the top of the mountain, he was surprised to see the master sitting outside as if expecting him.
He rushed to the master, paid his respect & said, “Greetings beloved master. I am pundit Antar Surdham from Pataliputra. I have come all the way to know the truth. Tell me. Does the God exist? Is there a life after death? What is the truth & so on?”
The monk smiled & said. “Son, You must be tired. Allow me to serve you a cup of tea.” The monk came back with a cup & a big teapot. He started pouring the hot fragrant tea. The cup was filled to the brim, but the monk did not stop pouring. The tea began to flow down the side of the cup in to the saucer. Pundit was surprised but with due respect to the master he said.
“Beloved master, enough. The cup is full & there is n0 space for even a drop of tea.”
The monk ignored him & he kept on pouring the tea & now it was all over the fragile wooden table. Pundit was angry. But he also wanted to learn. So he slightly raised his voice. “Enough master, enough, the tea is all over the table”. The monk pretended not to hear as he was focused only on pouring the tea. Now the tea was all over the ground.
This time Pundit was really angry. He was so agitated that he shouted at the master. “Can’t you see? The cup is full & the tea is all over the place. Stop this foolishness. I don’t want your cup of tea.”
The monk stopped pouring, stood up & started back into the hut. After that there was no sign of the monk.
Antar Surdham’s face was livid with anger. Every inch of his body was trembling. He screamed at the top of his face. “What kind of master are you? How can you be an enlightened person? Is this the way you treat you guests? All my time, All my energy& All my efforts are wasted for an insane stupid man like you.”
He uttered these words & turned to go back. Suddenly he heard the master’s words. “You are right Surdham when you said the cup is full & there is no space for even a drop of tea.” Go Pundit. Go and empty the cup of your mind. Your mind is overflowing & there is no space for an even a drop of what you are seeking.”
These words pierced Pundit’s mind like a sword piercing the flesh. He stood there in surprise realizing that all the answers to his questions lie in his mind. In that silence he could feel that every corner of his heart is filled with eternal happiness. Every step he took, he could feel a subtle dance in his feet.
He once again heard the master say. “Go Surdham. Go in piece. But this time go beyond the cup & break the cup. Shatter it forever forever forever.”
Antar Surdham had tears in his eyes. As he started his return journey, he could smell the scent of the jasmine flowers & he noticed the beautiful sparkling streams. He was at piece with himself. He could feel the soft gentle music of the breeze kissing the bamboo trees. As he walked through the forest he heard the master’s words echoing his ears.
“Go Surdham, go. Go beyond the cup. Go break the cup & shatter it forever forever forever forever forever."
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