THE TRAIL OF COINS

Jojii led the Student through the center of a massive city. Jojii carried with him a bag of coins, and from this bag he dropped a single coin each of his five paces. The Student watched each pass beneath his own feet.

Jojii declared:
You must not hoard the coins or items that might bring you status, but only seek those that carry you along.

The Student asked:
Shall I give of my items and coin to the needy?

Jojii replied:
Or drop them as I do.

The Student asked:
Do we not tempt the needy with such gifts? Might I not teach a man to gather, to fish instead?

Jojii thought a moment, then laughed. He found a beggarman, and handed him the entire bag of coins.

THE COMMENTARY OF MURASAKI TANKA

Basho Genji said:
Teacher, I am confused by Jojii's action.

Murasaki Tanka replied:
Remember, young Genji, that the Four Stones are one in the heart of the master. They are as a circle in the heart. Where does it begin and end? It does not. Discipline and Detachment are one. Compassion and Humility combine. All four inform the one action, Jojii's action. In presenting the coins to a beggar, he lived the Four Stones and challenged the beggar to do the same.

The Elders and the Oxkeeper

When Jojii and his disciples traveled down the river to the Isparian city of Rajapa, they came upon a young oxkeeper. This boy rushed to Jojii from the riverbank, where he had been washing his snorting, angry oxen for many hours.

The Oxkeeper said:
Great Jojii, teacher of the Way, how am I to properly wash the angry oxen? They do not cooperate.

Jojii smiled, and replied:
I shall return in one week's time with the answer.

And so Jojii and his disciples smiled warmly and lovingly at the boy, and then departed for the monastery in Rajapa.

The boy returned to work, wrestling with even the smallest of the oxen. The beasts wandered this way and that, and would not be controlled. They spurned him and snapped at him.

Then, the next day, the Unicorn rose from out of the water.

The Unicorn said:
Certainly, Oxkeeper, you must treat your oxen with Compassion. They will not follow you unless you love then.

And so the oxkeeper bowed, and set immediately to taming the oxen with Compassion. Within a day's time, they followed him to the riverbank and came at his calling, but they were spoiled and continued to wander aimlessly once they reached the river.

The boy said:
This is not the Way.

Then, the next day, the Firebird descended from the sky.

The Firebird said:
Certainly, Oxkeeper, you must treat your oxen with Detachment. They will not follow you unless you spoil them not, for once spoiled they will seek their rewards rather than what is right.

And so the oxkeeper bowed, and set immediately to taming the oxen with Detachment. Within a day's time, they had spurned him. For where were the handfuls of hay and apples for nothing? Where were the evening brushings?

The boy said:
This is not the Way.

Then, the next day, the great Dragon lumbered from the far bank.

The Dragon said:
Certainly, Oxkeeper, you must treat your oxen with Discipline. They will not follow you unless they respect you. And through Discipline you will set them straight.

And so the oxkeeper bowed, and set immediately to taming the oxen with Discipline. Within a day's time, they trembled at his approach and obstinately refused to leave their pens. They feared and loathed him.

The boy said:
This is not the Way.

Jojii returned to find the boy sitting against the fence of the pen. The oxen were quite dirty, for they had not been washed properly in a full week.

Jojii said:
Certainly, Oxkeeper, all of the Elders are correct. You must treat your oxen with Compassion, Detachment and Discipline. But you must realize these all at once, and also act in Humility. The oxen will follow you to the farthest rivers and streams.

And Jojii accompanied the boy to the river. The oxen followed. The boy set immediately to taming the oxen. He exercised Compassion, and saw that the large rocks were moved from beneath their feet and that were warm and comfortable. He practiced Detachment. He did not lavish them with praise or reward. He did not see their failures as his own. He exercised Discipline, and watched vigiliantly that none strayed or became unruly. He practiced Humility, and knew that each day he must lead them more effectively, with more Compassion, Detachment and Discpline.

The boy said:
This is the Way.

And the oxen followed him to the most distance rivers.

THE COMMENTARY OF MURASAKI TANKA

Basho Genji asked:
Teacher, are not the Elders to be revered?

Murasaki Tanka replied:
Yes Genji, but not as gods. It was the Unicorn who unselfishly taught Jojii the Truth. Elders, though wise and perfect incarnations of the stones of Compassion, Detachment and Discipline, bicker and argue, for they lack Humility. Elders are unable to bring the Four Stones into their hearts. Only humans may do this, and thus reach Enlightenment. It would not serve us or the Elders if we were to worship them. It would interfere with our own understanding of the Stones. We must always act out of equal parts of the Four Stones if our actions are to be right and proper.