I want to be . . .
Yet another Zen story. As always, quite deep and thought-provoking. This is one of the longish zen stories but there’s reason why it has to be this long. I want you read this as many times as you want and come up with your comments. I want to know your interpretation of this story. The reason why I’ve posted this is I really want you to read this story plus, I don’t have time to post a written article today. Now, over to Zen.
There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.
One day he passed a wealthy merchant’s house. Through the open gateway, he saw many fine possessions and important visitors. “How powerful that merchant must be!” thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and wished that he could be like the merchant.
To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. “How powerful that official is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a high official!”
Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. “How powerful the sun is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be the sun!”
Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. “How powerful that storm cloud is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a cloud!”
Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. “How powerful it is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be the wind!”
Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it – a huge, towering rock. “How powerful that rock is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a rock!”
Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the hard surface, and felt himself being changed. “What could be more powerful than I, the rock?” he thought.
He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.
What a lovely story! This has got to be one of the best. There’s always someone better or there’s always someone worse. The more you want the less you get, at least in your mind.
What a nice story… Its just great
How can i opinion on this… Pretty diffucult to give opinion in Zen stories because they explain without doubt. You understand and accept but cannot explain to others.
All you can do is tell the whole story. But i have a dount. Will all have the same opinion?
Hi Vijay,
Points I gather from this story:
1. There will always be inequalities in the world.
2. The other side always looks greener.
3. There can be no end to our wants.
4. Over a period of time you may start liking things which you didnt like earlier.
Rgds
Venkat
One more point
5. And Vijay will always write some Zen stories when he it tied us with something….!
Venkat – That’s brilliant! You’ve seen it from all possible angles. I especially liked that last point of yours – “Over a period of time you may start liking things which you didnt like earlier”.
In terms of what I think is the meaning of the story, I would like to re-arrange your points this way:
1. There can be no end to our wants.
2. The other side always looks greener.
3. There will always be inequalities in the world.
4. Over a period of time you may start liking things which you didnt like earlier.
What do you say?
Narak – I see typing is not your strong point nevertheless I get your point and you’re right.
I agree to Narak and Venkat in all their above points! It is so very difficult to comment on Zen stories. It is not bad to have wants in life. Despite difficult times still loans are getting processed and vehicles are getting delivered. May be reduced though
Wants are not bad after all that’s what motivates us. What’s important is what we want & why we want ? If someone is clear on both these questions stone cutter can never become a stone! That’s my take away from this story! I am happy you didn’t have time to post anything this time Vj. Except for those first 4 lines and last two lines everythingelse was too good! 
)
Forgot to mention! You joggled Venkat’s points very well! Infact you made a story in 4 points
well…. looks like the stone cutter was a wizard from the Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. and he did extremely well in transfiguration class
On a slightly, just slightly more serious note, the story just tells us that if you think you have a weakness and someone else or something else is more powerful, you will definitely find a reason to jusify that!!
Top Class Story which can be a eyeopener for those who are not enjoying the moments and still in hunger of something else…! V.Good One and I believe & was reminded by our Economics Rule: “Wants are unlimited but the means to satisfy them are always limited.”
Anil, Well said… you established the link between economics and zen. Wonderful. I am impressed.