When the Master Calls, Go In!
“When the Master calls, some people respond; some freeze in fear and some run away.”
-Jen Roshi
Temple of the Perennials
Zen Temple. Massive Formal Gate. Much traffic, dusty itinerant priests arriving from far away. Muscular warrior monks practicing martial skills in the courtyard and the “kat, kat, kot” sound of wooden staves in furious contact. Nuns in grey shirts and tightly wrapped pant legs carry out the business of the temple; their shaven heads indistinguishable from their brothers, but for the softer, delicate, more fluid grace of their carriage.
As is the custom, though nearly lost in the noise and confusion – sit two orphans at the gate – waiting, hoping to be noticed, and invited to stay. Admission to the Temple would be a life gift of incomparable magnitude. Food, knowledge, brotherhood, safety and stature all wait inside the gates. The hungry and dispossessed would gather there, and from time to time, some would be fed and dismissed. Others – the most patient, persistent and promising – would be called into the presence of the Master. Those “passing the interview” would be invited into the “Temple Family” on probation to begin the life, the training, the “The calling” of Zen.
“YOU! Boys! Come in!” called the tall, burly monk in his burgundy robes. The moment – Now! One child stood; transfixed by the instant but the other leaped up and ran – disappearing into the crowd. “Frightened of his destiny,” exclaimed the monk, as he conducted the remaining boy inside. But this is not the story of the boy who went in…
A few days later, an old priest, leaving the temple in his elegant robes for a meeting in the town, noticed “the frightened boy” had returned to his accustomed waiting spot. He said, “Little Brother! Come back have you? Join me and carry my bags?” Following the old priest from place to place, the boy busied himself looking after the priest’s scrolls and belongings. Sitting at a food stall, graciously accepting a gift of tea and buns, the elder shared the food with him – to his ravenous delight. “You know,” said the priest gravely, “It’s generally understood that when the Master calls, you go in! Why have you not answered the call?” “I know that, Elder Brother,” said the boy, “but I was afraid that the Master might ask a question to which I might not know the answer and, in failing I would be embarrassed! So I ran away to prevent that terrible possibility. You I can talk with easily Elder Brother, but the Master – his gaze must strike like lightning! I couldn’t even think in front of him!”
Considering this, the elder raised his cup in mock salute. “Well,” he said, “You’re in no danger of being embarrassed now, except by cold and hunger…” Just then, the proprietor of the stall, seeing the boy said, “Here! Beggar Boy, be off! You’re bothering Roshi!” But the elder raised his hand then and said, “No, he’s not bothering me, but I may be bothering him.” Pausing for a moment he gathered his thoughts and said, “Little Brother, join us at the temple, why don’t you? I know you’ll be a fine Monk. I will not ask again.” In the flash of enlightenment, the boy realized that he’d just spent his day with the Master of the Temple. Understanding the blessing of a second calling, he took up the way of Zen.
Applications
1. Personally
Has this happened to you? Have you received an invitation from someone you admire or respect; and failed to answer the call? Failed to recognize the Master among your acquaintances? Resolve to go when the next gate opens. Regret is the bitterest of all emotions.
2. At Home
Keep pace with the opportunities you, your spouse, partner or significant other and the children and relatives receive. Be a tireless advocate for going up! Going forward! Jumping in! Leaping at the chance! Rising to the challenge and saying “Yes” to every opportunity. Fail regularly, yet not for want of trying… “The Roads Not Taken” and “The Adventures We Never Had” can dog an individual, a couple or an entire family. The chief work of elders is to loudly encourage and quietly push the reluctant players onto the field and into the adventure! The calls are few! Embrace them!
3. At Work
“The Big Chance.” “The Special Opportunity.” The moments in a career when the field is open and you can run freely ahead to score. They are few, and only a few actually respond. Maybe they offer you the opportunity to buy beer for the New Business Team in the Late Night Meeting in the conference room. Buy the beer, and stay for the meeting. It may be your chance. Don’t lose for lack of trying!
A life spent “waiting at the gate” would be terribly misspent.
When the Master calls, Go In!
Dessert: When you get the chance, see the 1970’s TV series, “Kung Fu.” It was unusual; it was unlike Hollywood. It got a lot of things wrong, but it got a lot of things right, and introduced many in the west to Asian traditions and philosophy.
The story was that Bruce Lee was considered for the leading role, but passed over in favor of David Carradine. Lee of course knew and lived the tradition, yet it’s hard to imagine him, with his flying fists, lightning kicks and hard edge, successfully playing the soft, curious and indomitable Kwai Chang Caine.
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