Even the Venerable Yamas Will Bow to
Whoever Is Free from Death
Dharma Master Shen Guang asked, "Who in this
world is free from death? Is there anyone in this world who has really
ended birth and death?"
"There is," the Yamas of the Ten Courts replied.
"There's someone in this world who has ended birth and death."
"Who?" asked Dharma Master Shen Guang. "Please
tell me so that I can follow him to learn the way to end birth and
death."
The Yamas of the Ten Courts replied,
"Which one? He is the black-faced monk;
whose teeth you knocked out. He is free from
death. King Yama has no control over him. Not only that, King Yama
bows in respect to him every day!"
Dharma Master Shen Guang replied, "Oh! He is a
monk who has ended birth and death? Fine. I don't want to go with
you yet. I want to go find that black-faced monk and follow him to
learn the Dharma-door of ending birth and death. Could you wait a
bit to take me away? Is that all right? I am determined to end birth
and death! Could you speak to King Yama on my behalf to see if he
can give me a little more time so I can go learn this Dharma-door?"
The Yamas of the Ten Courts replied, "All
right. Since you are so sincere, what you ask is not beyond the
realm of possibility. We can be expedient and agree to a
compromise."
Well, they didn't drag him off to have tea
with King Yama. You know, of course, that King Yama also enjoys a
good cup of tea. You who like to drink tea should exercise some
caution! Ha! Ha!
