Albert Herdianto Widjojo
An old hermit told his two disciples to come down from the top of the mountain. They are Yin and Yang who have learned from him for ten years are asked to see how people live in the crowd and learn fully in order to perfect their lessons. They are free to determine how long they will learn from people, even they are also allowed to decide whether to return to the hermitage or not.
Arriving at the edge of the lake at the foot of the hill, they agreed to split up and learn in their own ways but also agreed to meet each other in the seventh year on the last full moon in the same place. They are determined to return to the hermitage and complete their learn to the old man. Then Yin goes to east and Yang goes west.
Right at the time and place that was promised, Yang arrived at the edge of the lake firstly. Turns out Ying broke his promise. After waiting for several days Ying didn’t appear. Feeling annoyed, curious, and also anxious, Yang went west to look for Ying.
After more than a year of searching, finally, with some information and instructions, Yang managed to find out where Ying was. Apparently, Ying became king in a prosperous kingdom. Feeling increasingly curious about the truth of the information and instructions, Yang came to the kingdom and met the king.
Without encountering any difficulties Who could meet with the king, which turned out to be true that the king was Ying, his friend. While enjoying the banquet, Si expressed his disappointment with Ying who broke his promise. Ying listened to her friend’s complaints carefully then told how he could become king there, how he made all the people of the kingdom who were very poor before and become prosperous then, and also admitted that he did not keep his promises because some programs from his policies to further prosper the kingdom people still needed a little time to be fully completed.
Yang finally understands and can accept the reasons but still insists on returning to the hermitage immediately. Seeing his friend’s disappointment and pique, Yang agreed to leave the kingdom right away. He immediately replaced his fancy clothes with the worn clothes he wore when he came down the mountain and ask Yang out of the kingdom silently through a hidden path.
After traveling far enough and starting to approach the dense forest, suddenly Yang said: “Ying, we have to go back to your kingdom for a while, just a minute.”
“Oh, why Yang?”
“Umm… My prayer beads are left in your palace. I have to take it because that’s very precious and full of memories.”
“Oh, Yang, I have even left the royal palace and all my people to go with you”
“You are right, but mine is a precious gift from an important person I met in my overseas, and has become an important part of me to recite a mantra.”
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Question of
Do you capture one or more of the essence of the story above?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Does that essence have an important meaning for you?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Would you express your opinion or perspective on the story?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you see the connection between the photo illustration with the story above?
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Yes
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No
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I always thought that loyalty was really important. Ying seems fickle but leaves the kingdom and then in time Yang seems fickle because he left the beads of mantra behind.
Thanks for your thought, Pamela.
Through this kind of story, we can see various perspectives and values of nobility that are our respective priorities. In the end, we have to look at the values of our entire learning process and determine the most important thing to achieve the intention.
Water is interesting in that its solid form (ice) floats on its liquid form (water). An ice cube when melting is said to sweat. But to me, the essence of what we are willing to leave behind is the what I found deep within this story. What are we willing to leave behind?
So glad that you’ve found the essence from here, Coach. You add and show us a different perspective as well.
who is manning the kingdom now?
I don’t know for sure but most likely is Hercules.
LOL… so their God is Zeus and not Confucious.
The last news that I heard they agreed to freely determine the king without bloodlines, I also heard that Mufasa would replace Hercules because he would be adventuring again.
Mufasa? isn’t he too old for the job? come on!!!
There are no other candidates because Simba refused.
Well can’t Queen Elizabeth take over for awhile?
Why not? As long as she can adjust to the agreement that has been made.
Good thing they know how to speak English.
Don’t worry. They can speak any languages…
I think I get it but at the same time don’t …
Hmm… I’ve heard of a similar story but with a gore and sad ending …
it’s a “side story” in a manga I read
You make me curious about two things:
– get it but at the same time don’t
– that side story
I’ve a rough idea of what I think it is …
“if I’ve left a whole kingdom behind, why can’t you let go of prayer beads?” or …???
but then I thought, isn’t it irresponsible as well? hmm… sometimes I just overthink things :/ LOL
The side story is long .. it is about 2 monsters traveling around in search of a name. One went east and the other west… One monster end up eating almost everyone he met, while the other came back happy without a name…
Your story just remind me of this one… although they may not be talking about the same thing.
That is an interesting question, and you are not wrong to think like that. Even, that are the signs of your wisdom. Beyond that, this story is just to illustrate how we release our self from attachments in any form, and that is the path of spirituality.
I am relieved after getting a little picture of you about a similar story, however, there is always wisdom in it.
Hah! I knew your story wouldn’t be so “simple” but oh wellz… lol
I tend to take things more on a surface value … so yeah… :p
Take it easy for my friend, once again, it’s not wrong to find that value anywhere, after all, it won’t cause acne.
Lol…. Acne!
Maybe the pimple cream company will be interested, about where the value is found now…
Surely, if all the companies really want to find the secret of acne free, unless they only sell for profit only.
I do not know my friend or is this fairy tale-I’m sorry but I do not understand the best
That’s okay, my friend. I just like to tell some story once in a while. Thanks a lot.
Wait! Don’t stop there! I want to read more about these adventures. I think this is just delightful, even though I probably do not have the frame of reference to understand all of it.
If I have to tell the whole journey of their lives here, it might be too long… lol, but I will write some of their stories again next time, soon. I’m glad you feel interested in the story, Ann.
I would be more like Yang. I would have to go back and get the special gift left. Some things cannot be replaced. But you knew that already. The ice cube is Ying and the melted ice represents Yang. They are each part of the other. The Ying to the other Tang sort of speak.
Ying reneges on promises to help people and sincerely leave all his outer valuable wealth.
Yang keeps his promises but is bound to wealth and the past.
Well, that is duality, and illusion too…
There is, but nothing. There is but soon will disappear.
You explained it very well. My mind was not going deep enough it seems.
This story actually is just to illustrate how we can or cannot release our self from attachments in any form, and that is the path of freedom, the path of spirituality.
Nope, not at all, you just look from a slightly different angle and that’s great.
We all can learn from one another If our minds are open enough. Awesome message
Of course, LaJenna. Life is to learn and learn is life, so we should do it with full awareness. Thanks for your thought.