A Monk Named 'Birdsnest'

Long ago in China, there lived a monk who perched in an ancient tree in the forest every day to meditate. No matter if the tree swayed in fierce winds and rain, the monk settled himself comfortably, high up in the tree. Because of this, he was nicknamed "Birdsnest" by the nearby village folk.

Many of these villagers passed beneath the monk while gathering mushrooms or wood in the forest. After a time they grew accustomed to the monk. Some began to stop and talk of their concerns with Birdsnest. They liked the things he had to say, and soon Birdsnest became known for his kind and thoughtful words.

After more years, the monk's wise reputation spread throughout the province. Visitors from distant cities hiked to the remote forest for advice. Even the governor of the province decided that he too would like to visit Birdsnest to discuss matters of importance. So, one spring morning, the governor set off to visit the monk. After traveling for two days, at last he found Birdsnest's tree in the dense forest. High above the governor the monk sat calmly, in the topmost branches, enjoying the warmth and the spring songs of the forest birds.

Looking up, the governor shouted, "Birdsnest! I am the governor of this province and I have come a great distance to speak with you. I have a most important question."

The governor waited for a reply but heard only the the pleasant sounds of the leaves stirring in the breeze and the birds singing to the day.

The governor continued, "This is my question. Please, tell me Birdsnest, what is it that all the wise ones have taught? Can you tell me the most important thing the Buddha ever said?"

There was a long pause, just the soft rustle of the leaves and the singing of happy birds.

Finally, the monk called down from high in the great tree, "This is your answer governor. Don't do bad things. Always do good things. That's what all the Buddha's taught."

Because of his two day walk to find the monk, the governor thought this answer far too simple. Irritated and annoyed, the governor shouted up the tree, "Don't do bad things; always do good things! I knew that when I was three years old, monk!"

Looking down at the governor, Birdsnest replied with a gentle smile, "Yes, the three-year-old knows it, but the eighty-year-old still finds it very difficult to do."