The young woman was seriously ill and, about to die, said to her husband: “I love you so much that I don’t want to leave you. Don’t leave me for another woman. If you do this, I will return to you as a ghost and constantly disturb you.”
Soon she left this world. The husband complied with her last wishes for three months, but then he met another woman and fell in love with her. They decided to get married.
Immediately after the engagement, the ghost of his wife began to appear to the widower. Every night she reproached him for not keeping his word. In addition, she turned out to be perspicacious: she accurately listed to him everything that happened between him and his new lover. Whenever he gave his bride a gift, she would accurately describe it. The ghost even repeated conversations between them, and this irritated the widower so much that he could not sleep. Someone told him to contact a Zen master who lived near the village. Finally, in despair, the unfortunate widower went to him for help.
“So your ex-wife has become a ghost and knows everything you do,” the master concluded. - What you say, what you give to your beloved - she knows everything. She must be a very knowledgeable ghost. You should be proud of such a ghost. As soon as she appears, make a contract with her. Say that since she knows everything and nothing can be hidden from her, then - if she can answer one question for you - you promise to break off the engagement and remain single.
- What question should I ask? - he asked.
- Take a full handful of soybeans and ask her exactly how many beans you have in your hand. If she cannot answer, then you will understand that she is just a figment of your imagination and will not bother you anymore,” answered the monk.
As soon as the spirit of his wife appeared, the widower flattered her, saying that she knew everything.
“And indeed,” answered the ghost, “I also know that you visited the Zen master today.”
“Well, if you know so much, tell me how many beans are in my hand,” demanded the widower.
There was no one left to answer the question - the ghost had disappeared.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru