One day at Kennedy Airport in America, when Zen Master Sung Sahn was there, a television reporter was conducting a public survey. He asked different people the same question: “What do you think is the most disgusting thing in the world?” Some answered “war”, some “betrayal”, some what... Seeing a Buddhist monk in the crowd, the reporter asked him this question.
In response, the Zen Master asked him, “Who are you?”
"John Smith"
"That's your name, but who are you?"
“I’m a TV reporter from such-and-such a company.”
"It's your job, but who are you?"
“I am human, after all!”
“This is your species, but who are you?”
The reporter finally realized what he was being asked about. He opened his mouth, but could not say anything.
“This is the most disgusting thing in the world - not knowing who you are,” said the Zen Master.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru