Master Han Shan was one
of the four great masters of the late Ming dynasty. Once, while travelling, he lost
his way and
after walking for some time through a night as black as lacquer, he at
last saw a light. Focusing his eyes, he saw that it was a family home. He
was delighted and quickly knocked on the door, asking for lodging for the
night.
The householder heard his request and with an expressionless
face refused, saying, ‘Sorry, please find somewhere else. My house is not an inn!’ The master smiled
and said, ‘You have it wrong. Your house is indeed an inn! I just need you to
answer three questions honestly and I can prove that your house is an
inn.’ The householder said, ‘I don’t believe you! But if you can persuade
me, I’ll let you in.’
The master then asked, ‘Who lived here before you?’ The householder replied, ‘My father!’
‘Then, who was the householder before your esteemed father?’ ‘My grandfather!’
‘And if you, young master, pass on, who will become the householder then?’ ‘My
son!’
Master Han Shan laughed and said, ‘There you are, you see! You are only living here
temporarily, and everybody is a traveller like me.’ The householder reckoned that he made sense and
asked him in. The master spent a comfortable night there.
Source : Thedailyenlightenment.com
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