There was a small stream flowing from a mountain far far away. Passing through the villages and the woods, it finally came to a desert. It was thinking to itself “I’ve gone through all the hindrance, I think I should be able to get through this desert!” However, when it was trying to pass through the desert, it realized that the water in it was slowly seeping into the ground. One after another trial, it failed and had given up. Then it sighed “Perhaps this is my luck. I couldn’t have made it to the legendary sea.”

Right at the moment, there was a voice from the surrounding… “If the soft wind could pass through the desert, then so do you…”
It was the desert that’s been murmuring. Then the stream replied disappointedly “That’s because the wind could fly, but I… I can’t…”

 “That’s because you insisted to stay the same way you are. You could have let the wind fly with you. This could happen only if you’re willing to let yourself evaporate into thin air.” explained the desert.

The little stream never knew that it could do that, “To evaporate? I would have been gone by then, wouldn’t I? No! I don’t want to!”. The little stream couldn’t accept such concept since it’s never tried it before. Giving up of the original appearance? In other words, we could be self-demolishing…

Then little stream finally asked “How would I know if it works?”
“The mild wind could hug little water molecule and bring it along as it travels. When it’s time, the wind would release them and they’d gather to form dark clouds and rain. When raindrops join together, they’ll form a river or a stream again to proceed their journey.”

 “If so, would I still be the same river like I’ve always been?”
The desert answered patiently “You could be, but you might not be as well.”

 “No matter if you’re being a river or water vapour, your origin never changes. You insisted that you’re a river because you never know your origin.” Upon those words, the stream could suddenly recall parts of memory before it became a river. It’s been brought to places by the wind, when it finally reaches the mountain, it’s there it turned into a river from raindrops. Finally, the stream understood its origin and gathered up its courage to do it. There it was, stretching its arms out to be carried away by the wind.

The stream reflects the stages of our life. When we need to overcome certain challenges or hindrance, there is a need for breakthrough in order to achieve another step towards the aim of truth, kindness, and beauty. At times, we’re bound to have the wisdom and courage to ‘let go of ourselves (stubbornness)’ for a greater advancement.


Postscript:

At the beginning, the stream was determined to face its challenges and had won over a few of them. Nevertheless, just when it thought it was about to win every challenge, the final one that decides the victory or defeat of its journey emerged. Such challenge is sufficient to demolish its faith on the legendary sea. As expected, it finally decided to give up.

When we’ve slackened ourselves, it’ll be the best time to give up. By then, the three obstacles and four devils would grab the chance to destruct our faith! When our faith was shaken, that ichinen to accomplish a mission would be fragile. Hence, the stream was ruled by its vanity at the beginning, rendering it to underestimate the next challenge. The stream put itself in a position that tested it whether to continue its challenge.

Let’s take exam as a simpler example. When one of the students began to think that “I’ve done my best. Outstanding result? I’ve never even dreamed of that. I think I’d better maintain what I am now.” If we carry on with such spirit and attitude, we’d never get a good result even if we have the best teacher or tuition classes. Whenever a hindrance emerged, we’d put a full stop on it and say ‘that’s it’. If we could never let go of our stubbornness, we may never achieve a better result. Just like the little stream. If it refuses to listen to the desert’s guidance, it may have never made it to the sea it’s been dreaming about.

There are times when we’ve not doing good enough in the organization. But if you’d stay the way you were, never wanting to listen to other people’s comments and guidance, you’ll be going nowhere else but the same place. When we’re challenged, we’d lost the courage to face problems and at the end, decide to give up.

Stubbornness is a very great enemy for us. It stops us from advancing. When a hindrance appears, stubbornness often makes us lose our direction. If we can let go of stubbornness, listen to other people, having dialogue with them, and chant vigorously towards Gohonzon, wisdom and courage would emerge! There’s always potential in us that we may not know about. Just as the desert said, we may only understand our origin after we’ve overcame hindrance.

The word ‘hindrance’ may never be able to be wiped away from the dictionary of our life. Since we couldn’t delete the word, why not add another word like ‘overcome’? If we’re coward, challenge will only stop us from advancing. While Dr. Thoreau had dialogue with Mr. Ikeda, he said “A mountaineer’s spirit is at highest when that thought of a ‘brand new adventure’ rise right at the moment we open our eyes. It may be dangerous, or even unexpected accidents, nevertheless, that joy of welcoming a new scene would weight greater than the worries.” We must face challenges with a heart of joy, a fearless heart!

Other than that, what we could learn from the little stream is that it has a heart of gratitude towards those who’d helped it becoming a river. Gratitude is something we must have as human shall never forget people’s kindness! Finally, the stream was determined again to march towards its original aim with strength of courage!
Our mentor, Ikeda Sensei once said “Those who could strive till the very last moment, will be the ones to reach their destination of happiness.” We must face challenges with great courage, to strive till the end for the sake of our victory. When we could let go of stubbornness, we’re able of overcoming all hindrance and march towards the great sea that we long for!

Shared by,
Colours.

Labels: q. rojak article sharing