When Jeno came to the Master, he said:
- Why did you come to me? There is no need for you to be here. You're already in It.
But Jeno asked:
- Let me stay.
Then the Master said:
- Okay, go to the kitchen and start sorting through the rice. Don't come to me. If necessary, I will come to you myself.
Five hundred monks needed rice, and this man sorted it from early morning until late at night. Little by little all thoughts disappeared. His business became his meditation. So 12 years passed.
The master grew old and announced that he wanted to find a successor. He said:
“Whoever believes that he has awakened and known the Truth, let him come and write his understanding in four lines on the door of my hut.
During the daytime, no one dared to come to his door because everyone knew this old man. He sat there with his big stick and, if he didn’t like the lines written, he could have beaten him soundly.
At night, when he fell asleep, one person came up and wrote:
“The mind is a mirror, and on the mirror of the mind the dust of desires collects; wipe away the dust and the Truth will appear before you.” Everyone liked these lines. The monastery knew who they belonged to and expected approval from the Master, but he was silent.
The monks came to the kitchen and animatedly discussed this important issue. One of them said:
“The master is too strict, and if he continues in the same spirit, he will not find a successor.”
When Jeno heard about these lines, he laughed. He was asked:
- Fool, why are you laughing? You don't know anything except your rice, do you?
No one ever heard him laugh or express his opinion. Jeno said:
“The mind is not a mirror where the dust of desires can collect.” One who knows this becomes enlightened.
A crowd has gathered. Some began to get excited, saying:
- Go and write your words on the Master’s door if you are not afraid of being beaten. Maybe you will become his successor.
Jeno said:
“For 12 years, I forgot how to write, and besides, I don’t want to be anyone’s successor.” Go and write these lines. Let's see what the Master says.
They went and wrote: “The mind is not a mirror where the dust of desires and thoughts can collect. He who knows this knows the Truth.”
The master read these lines while remaining silent. He didn't utter a word of approval or disapproval. At night he came to Jeno and said:
- I know who could have received this insight. Well, take my cup and my robe and leave the community. You are my successor! All these 12 years, light emanated from you, but no one noticed it. They came to the kitchen every day, but no one noticed you. They are too learned and if you stay, they will not understand us. This will create a lot of envy. You are my successor. Go and continue to carry my fire. You have reached!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru