Stories and Parables

What holds the elephant?

In the circus, when the elephant is just a baby, the trainer attaches a heavy chain to its leg. He then secures the chain to a heavy stake in the ground. The young elephant pulls and struggles against the chain for a short while, but, being a very intelligent creature, soon realizes that it cannot escape.

As the elephant grows older and stronger, the trainer uses smaller and flimsier chains, until finally the massive elephant is secured with a light cord and stake. Physically, the elephant could pull the stake up with no effort, but it remembers its experience as a baby. The elephant cannot free itself because it does not believe that it can. The mind holds the elephant.

Muddy Road

Two monks were walking along a muddy road after a rainstorm when they came across a beautiful young woman. She was wearing an exquisite kimono and was looking very concerned at the prospect of crossing the muddy road. The older monk immediately whisked her up into his arms, carried her across the road, and set her on the dry bank opposite. The young woman smiled her gratitude, and the monks went on their way. After several miles of walking, the younger monk could restrain himself no longer.

“We monks have taken vows. We are not even supposed to touch women, especially not young and beautiful ones. Why did you pick up that woman back there?”

“Have you been carrying her all this time?” asked the older monk. “I put her down many miles ago.”

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