A Zen monk was dying. The last day came and he announced that he would be gone that evening. Followers, students, and friends began to gather.
One of his old students, hearing that the master was about to die, ran to the market. Someone asked:
- The master is dying in the hut, why are you running to the market?
An old student said:
— I know that my master loves a certain type of cake; I'm going to buy this cake.
It was difficult to find the cake, but in the end he succeeded. He came running with a cake.
Everyone was worried - it looked like the master was waiting for someone. He opened his eyes and looked around, closed his eyes again. When the student came, he said:
- Okay, you've come. Where's the cake?
The student took out a cake. He was very glad that the master asked him. The dying master took the cake in his hand. But his hand did not tremble. He was very old, but his hand did not tremble. Someone asked:
“You’re so old, you’re on the verge of death.” Soon your last breath will leave you, but your hand does not tremble.
“I never tremble,” answered the master, “because I have no fear.” My body has grown old, but I am still young, and I will remain young even when my body is gone.
Then he took a bite and began to eat the cake. Someone asked:
-What is your last message, master? Soon you will leave us. What would you like us to remember?
The master smiled and said:
- Oh, this cake is delicious!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru