Obedience

Lightkeeper · #1 (**permalink**) 8th November 2005, 07:44 PM

Quote:

The master Bankei's talks were attended not only by Zen students but by persons of all ranks and sects. He never quoted sutras nor indulged in scholastic dissertations. Instead, his words were spoken directly from his heart to the hearts of his listeners.

His large audiences angered a priest of the Nichiren sect because the adherents had left to hear about Zen. The self-centered Nichiren priest came to the temple, determined to debate with Bankei.

"Hey, Zen teacher!" he called out. "Wait a minute. Whoever respects you will obey what you say, but a man like myself does not respect you. Can you make me obey you?"

"Come up beside me and I will show you," said Bankei.

Proudly the priest pushed his way through the crowd to the teacher.

Bankei smiled. "Come over to my left side."

The priest obeyed.

"No," said Bankei, "we may talk better if you are on the right side. Step over here."

The priest proudly stepped over to the right

"You see," observed Bankei, "you are obeying me and I think you are a very gentle person. Now sit down and listen."

Is there anyone or anything we should be obedient to?

Jewscout · #2 (**permalink**) 8th November 2005, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Is there anyone or anything we should be obedient to?

i am obedient before G-d, that being said i always have a few questions for Him before i obey.

#3 (**permalink**) 8th November 2005, 08:28 PM

I obey the teaching of Jesus when I am able (meaning up to the task), and I obeyed my parents as a child and adult. I think there are positions of respect to which we need to obey, or get out of the situation. Sometimes we have to choose whether to obey the law OR the superior position.

Master Vigil · #4 (**permalink**) 9th November 2005, 05:20 AM

I obey nothing. I follow nothing. It is only when I drop everything that I become one.

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