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| | | Book Name: The Dhammapada - The Way of the Buddha, Vol 3 | Previous Next | |
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the wise man himself, but the way -- the way that has made him wise.
What is that way that makes one wise?
Two things... first the negative: drop knowledge. And second the positive: enter into meditation.
A whole band of saints was being admitted to heaven, and the doors swung open just enough to let each one in.
As soon as one was in, without any ceremony the doors closed and then opened for the next who went in without any hesitation, as if he was quite expecting to be admitted.
Right at the end came a scholar with a reverend beard and majestic gait, large turban and confident look. As he stepped forward, the gates swung open and trumpets sounded while tremendous applause broke out from an assembled multitude. A shining figure came forward to escort him within.
"This is most gratifying," said the scholar to himself, "to know that the learned no longer will have to give themselves airs and graces. Here, at least, our importance is recognized."
To the apparition he said, "Why all this ceremony?"
"Well," said the angel, "it is something of an occasion -- you see, this is the first time that we have had an academic among us."
It is almost impossible for the knowledgeable to enter into heaven. It must have been an occasion! Hence saints were not received with great ceremony, but the academician, the scholar, the pundit, was received with great ceremony. It was so rare.
It is very rare, in fact it is impossible.... This story must be an invention. Scholars are not known to enter into heaven; to be a scholar is to be in the original fall. And to follow a life pattern from the scriptures is bound to be erroneous, because who is going to interpret? Your stupid mind will go on interpreting, and you will follow your own interpretation. You will be going in circles, you will remain the same.
A man was limping as he walked down a street, and wincing with pain.
A doctor stopped him and said, "If I were you I would get yourself seen to -- you need your appendix out."
So he had his appendix out. Presently he went to another doctor claiming that he still had the same trouble, so he was put
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