The Poem:
Two turtles aboard an ox cart
took part in a highway drama
a scorpion came alongside
begging desperately for a ride
to refuse would violate goodwill
to accept would weigh them down
in a moment too brief to describe
acting kindly they got stung
The Commentary:
In the Lotus Sutra, the ox cart is used as a metaphor for the Great Vehicle of Salvation, with room for all. The turtles are a scurrilous reference to bald-headed monk and nuns. First among all Buddhist virtues is charity, but here its unwise practice leads to the loss of life. Such are the results of dogma, even Buddhist dogma.
No comments:
Post a Comment