Ancient Wisdom: Inspiring Stories That Will Touch Your Soul
Many universal truths and principles that stand at the core of humanity are hidden in short, enchanting, and wise stories. Just as a jeweler uncovers the hidden brilliance within a gemstone, these stories polish the wisdom of life and present it in a form we can admire and reflect upon.
Even if, at times, we cannot fully grasp their depth immediately, the beauty and simplicity of the message—much like the sparkle of a well-cut diamond—can still resonate with us. Their messages reach into our spirit, inviting us to ponder life's mysteries, much as a rare gemstone captivates our imagination with its beauty.
These stories, like the finest pieces of jewelry, are crafted to connect with the soul and offer insights into the truths of the universe, waiting to be discovered by those who take the time to look deeper.
The Japanese Master And The Student Who Was A Thief
Born into a samurai family, Bankei Yotaku became one of the most renowned Japanese philosophers.
Many students from different parts of Japan came to Bankei's meditation classes. During such a course, one of the students was caught stealing. The problem was presented to the Japanese master, and the request of those who caught him was that the one caught actually be sent home. But, Bankei preferred to ignore the student's deed.
A few days later, the student was caught stealing again, but the problem was again ignored by the Bankei. Bankei's reaction infuriated the other students. They signed a petition demanding the expulsion of the thief from the classes.
When Bankei read the petition, he called all the students in front of him.
"You are wise," he told them. "You know what is right and what is wrong. You can go elsewhere to study if you want, but this poor brother of ours does not even know what is good and what is evil. Who will teach him if I don't? I'm going to keep him here, even if there's no one left but him."
Tears began to flow down the face of the student who stole. His desire to steal again was gone.
Bankei saw potential in the student, much like how a jeweler sees value in a rough gemstone. Though the stone may initially appear flawed or unrefined, with time and patience, it can be transformed into a piece of exquisite beauty.
Just as a skilled artisan shapes a diamond or an amethyst, Bankei believed in shaping the character of the student. He knew that, with the right guidance, the student’s rough edges could be polished to reveal inner brilliance.
The Story Of The Two Monks and The Young Woman
Two monks were returning to the monastery at dusk and wanted to cross a river that had come out of the womb. Next to them, a young helpless woman asked them to help her cross the river with them.
The older monk, without thinking too much, took her in his arms and carried her to the other side of the water.
The young monk, controlling his astonishment, said nothing until they reached the temple where they were to spend the night.
Failing to refrain, he rebuked his companion: "You know very well that we are not allowed to touch any woman. How could you take that woman in your arms?"
The old monk replied smiling: "That's right, I took her in my arms, but I put her down on the waterfront, you have been carrying her on your shoulders ever since".
As the young monk carried the burden of the woman in his mind, he was weighed down by thoughts that did not serve him. Similarly, a jeweler handling a priceless gemstone must balance care with precision. Holding onto negative energy can tarnish our spirit, just as mishandling a jewel can diminish its luster.
The older monk understood that true mastery comes from knowing when to let go and when to hold on, a lesson as valuable as the rarest gem.
The Story Of The Troubled Man
A long time ago, he came to a monk, a very troubled man, and asked him: "What's wrong with me? Why can't I find peace? Why am I not happy with my life?"
The old monk then took a bottle and, after half filling it with water, put it in front of the man and asked him: "How's this bottle?"
"It's half empty!" the man replied.
"See," said the monk, "I see it half full."
In life, much like in jewelry-making, your perspective shapes the outcome. A jeweler sees potential in every gemstone, whether it appears rough or flawed. Instead of focusing on the imperfections, the jeweler highlights the stone's inner beauty.
Similarly, in life, by focusing on the positive aspects—like how a diamond sparkles after careful cutting—you can shift your perspective and find peace.
The Story of the Greatest Warrior In The World
"Who do you handle the sword best in this world?" a warrior asked his master.
"Go to the field near the monastery," replied the master, "there is a rock there, I want you to insult it."
"Why should I do it?" the disciple asked. "The rock will not answer."
"All right, then attack it with your sword," said the master.
"I really won't," said the disciple. "My sword would break. And if I attacked her with my bare hands, I would break my fingers and get no results. That's not what I asked. I asked who handles the sword best in this world?"
"The best warrior is the one that is like that rock," explained the master. "Just as a diamond is unmoved by insults or attacks, a true warrior possesses the inner strength and resilience of the hardest gemstone. The finest diamonds are unbreakable, just as the strongest warrior does not need to fight to prove their power."
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The Story About the Disciple Who Fell A Thousand Times
A master was taking his disciple on a journey into the jungle. Even though he was old, he made his way with agility, while the disciple kept slipping and falling many times.
The young man got up and muttered angrily every time but continued to follow his master.
After the long journey, they arrived in a sacred place. Without stopping even for a moment, the master returned back quickly to the bumpy road they followed so far.
"You didn't teach me anything today," said the disciple irritated by the whole situation, after he fell for the thousandth time.
"I taught you one thing, but you couldn't understand it. In the art of jewelry-making," the master replied, "it takes many mistakes to achieve perfection. Just as a jeweler refines each gemstone through trial and error, every fall you take is a chance to learn, improve, and polish your skills. The most beautiful gems are those that have been carefully worked over time, and so too is your journey through life."
"And how should I deal with my mistakes?", asked the puzzled disciple.
"In the same way you should have faced every fall you have taken today", the master answered. "Instead of cursing when you fell, you should have tried to understand first what made you slip."
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The Story Of The Villager And The Huge Diamond
When a monk reached the edge of the village and sat down under a tree to spend the night, a villager came running and shouted: "Stone! Stone! Give me a stone!"
"What stone?" the monk asked.
"Last night, God told me in a dream that if I go to the edge of the village in the evening, a monk will give me a stone that will make me rich forever", explained the villager.
The monk rummaged through his cloth sack and took out a stone: "That's probably what He meant. I found it in the woods yesterday. Okay, take it if you want."
The man looked without believing his eyes. It was the largest diamond in the world. He was the size of a human head. He was delighted and could help to shout for joy.
But, as he arrived home, he writhed in bed all night.
In the morning, he woke the monk and said to him: "I changed my mind. Give me that wealth that allowed you to give me this gemstone without hesitation."
When the villager encountered the monk, he believed the large diamond would bring him everlasting wealth. However, he soon realized that the true treasure lay not in the stone itself, but in the monk’s wisdom.
Just as a flawless diamond is prized for its rarity, wisdom is often hidden beneath the surface. The greatest gems are not those that bring material wealth, but those that enrich the spirit.
