GOLD FINGER - a Zen Buddhism Koan
One day, one of the eight immortals (Note 1), Lu
Dongbin, came down to the Saha World (Note 2) to help
people out who were in great difficulties. While he was on the
way, he met a youth sitting by the road side crying heavily. He
approached the youth and asked him, "Mister, why are you
crying? Do you have any difficulties?"
"My mother is very sick and my father had passed away. I
do not have any money to hire a doctor to see her. I want to go
to work but nobody will take care of my mother while I am
away?"
The immortal was very touched by the fidelity of this youth
and therefore he decided to help him out by performing a miracle.
He pointed his finger at a piece of stone by the road side and
turned it into gold immediately. Then he gave the piece of gold
to the youth. To his surprise the youth refused to accept it.
The immortal was even touched, because the youth must be a
devout Buddhist, renouncing wealth. "Why don't you accept
the piece of gold. It should keep your family going for a long
time."
The youth replied, "If I accept it, sooner or later I
will spend it all. Therefore, I do not want the piece of gold. I
want your finger, because I can use it to turn everything into
gold and I will be the richest man on earth."
Upon hearing this, the immortal gave a sigh at the greediness of human beings, restored the piece of gold back to stone, and returned to heaven.
Note 1: Eight immortals: In Chinese folk religion, the eight immortals are human beings who became deities or fairies through the rites of Taoism. An immortal is different from a god in that the immortal seldom got involved in earthly matters. A god (such as the Thunderer) is responsible for certain aspects of life on earth.
Note 2: Saha world: Literally, a world with desires. That is, the world in which good and evil exist. Or, the real world in which we human beings live in.
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