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dr-Jackyll
Cadet 1
Joined: Jul 30, 2004
Member#: 7508
Posts: 4
Location: Maasbree, the Netherlands
    
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 Posted:
Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:38 am Post subject: The tale of monks, a moral enigma |
 
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Hiya folks,
Here's a yarn about moral dilemmas. I know who needs weighty issues here on the forum, but indulge me please. Although the story deals with fictional conundrums which leads to other hypothetical discussions that are mostly pointless. I couldn't help posting it. 
The Tale of two monks. 1.0.
In a time when the world was scarcely brought into map, when two powerful factions clashed in violent conflict in a city where great temples stood and a divine prophet bided his last earthly hours, the faiths of the world crept slowly across the globe, spreading their message of enlightenment and redemption. At the boundary of this tardy migration in the mountain region of the Hindu Kush, a range where the East meets the West, two lone figures made their way through the rocky regions. The men who arduously wended their ways through the inhospitable terrain, were two monks of different denomination. One was a Buddhist monk, the other a Christian monk. Both journeyed the Hindu Kush to bring their faith to the nomads of the mountains. On worn footwear the monks traversed the narrows rocky paths, leaning wearingly on their staffs with one hand, and with their other clutching their beads of prayer.
Early in the morning when Aphrodite covered her bright eye under the veil of Eos, the Buddhist monk came to three-forked path. At the juncture sat a witch practicing the foul art. She sold venereal oils, potions of fortune and draughts of death to passing travelers. She beckoned the Buddhist and tried to persuade him abstain his celibacy and purchase her oils of passion. So he may live a true man’s life and engage in the oldest of nature’s rites. The Buddhist monk even hardly gave the witch a sideward glance, shook his head and thought: “Poor sinner, her craft will facilitate her way to Hell” So continued the Buddhist monk on his way. A little later the Christian monk also encountered the witch. Again the servant of Hecate tried to seduce the traveler. The Christian monk walked up to the witch and shattered her merchandised, after which he grabbed the hag by her scarlet hair and tied her to a tree. He took the flammable ointment and oils poured them over the sorceress and set her ablaze and then continued the Christian monk on his way, leaving behind the crone in the fire fuelled by her on potions.
Later that day at the hour of noon, when the faint sun stood on high and tried to warm the barren rocks of the Hindu Kush and nurture the sparse plant life, the Christian monk who chose a shorter route through the mountains than the Buddhist monk saw a tree in the distance. It was a barren tree that had spend its solitaire life among the harsh rocks of the mountain. Its roots lay bare, and like a boney hand clung to a sloping hill in a last desperate effort to cling too life. The tree bore but one lifeless fruit, form a rope tied to the bark-stripped braches hung a man, poorly attired his death-mask face frozen in sorrow. The Christian monk walked passed the man, gave him a frown and thought too himself: “even greater sorrow awaits this suicide in Hell.” The monk looked once more over his shoulder and again shook his head and then he continued on his journey. The Buddhist monk also came across a barren tree. The Buddhist monk looked at the man and wondered whether the man was hung by brigands after they robbed him of his clothes and belongings or if the poor wretch took his on life. The monk decided none of the possible causes would have any bearing on the sad spectacle he saw hanging on the lonely tree before him. The monk cut the man down and using the loose rocks he could find he buried the man. Once more the monk looked on the grave and went on his way.
Evening fell, and Venus opened her lover’s eye on the dark world and Selene’s bright face lit the path of the two traveling monks. The Christian monk kneeled and began his evening prayer and was passed by the Buddhist monk. The two men did not exchange a word of greeting of even a glance at each other.
The Buddhist monk wandered well into the night, when suddenly his way was barred by a brigand. The rogue demanded a toll. The monk Buddhist monk told the villain he was but a poor monk with no earthly possessions. Still the bandit threatened him for compensation. In self-defense the Buddhist monk plied his martial arts and struck the bandit down. Then the monk went further with his journey, leaving the bandit behind unconscious.
A little later the Christian monk walked the perilous path and saw the unconscious brigand. The monk tended the wounds of the bandit. The brigand awoke and looked at the monk. Seeing that the monk wore the clothes of clergy, the brigand became enraged and cried out: “Another! You men of faith are all the same, wearing yer clerical vestments like a wolf the fleece of a lamb. You preach peace, but strike down those who are desperate!” The Brigand drew his scimitar and fatally wounded the Christian monk. The monk sunk to his knees, his hand covering his mortal hurt. He directed his face towards the heavens and cried out: “Forgive him Lord, for he knows not what he does.” The monk fell to the earth and blew out his last breath. Thus he continued a journey all of us must eventually take.
Now think a little on this tale. Who is more just? Who is more kind? To whom does truth sidle, the Christian monk or the Buddhist monk?
Give it some thought. Next time you’re stuck in traffic or when you commute and your train is late again or when
Spoiler: | your boyfriend had a premature ejaculation during the "act" and you’re waiting for his manhood to wax…. |
or even when you’re waiting for your pot-noodle or microwave dinner.
Feel free to spread this story abroad and embellish it to your liking. Add your own moral and ethical dilemmas, just make sure you publish it as different version( for example 1.2 or if you like to completely rewrite it 2.0) that way we can distinguish your version from others.
If you like to comment on the story please send me an email.
Email address: canismesomelas@hotmail.com
by j2brown: Spoiler tag added
_________________
All fled, all done
So lift me on the pyre
The feast is over
And the lamps expire
- Robert E Howard |
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 LadyInque
Captain
Joined: May 20, 2005
Member#: 10281
Posts: 2224
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
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Posted:
Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:43 am Post subject: |
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Okay. Thanks?
I must say, I kind of find the story pointless. Unless the point is that you can't judge without the all the facts, in which case the story was more than was needed. There are some old stereotypes at work here as well. Not sure what that means.
And thanks for the edit, j2brown. It's not really a spoiler, as it isn't plot-related, but the line does kinda spoil the heretofore consistent tone of the story. And I think it's crass. |
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 j2brown
Commodore
Joined: Feb 22, 2002
Member#: 9
Posts: 3188
Location: Sterling, VA
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Posted:
Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:55 am Post subject: |
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I used the spoiler tag because we don't have one that says censored, and hiding the text but still have it readable is the best way I have to conform to the tone of the site without changing the intent of the writer.
jeff
sdg |
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chippy246
Guest
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Posted:
Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:15 am Post subject: |
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I believe the story does not include one very important monk... The CHIPPYmonk. the story may be more interesting then. |
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chippy246
Guest
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Posted:
Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:16 am Post subject: |
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bla bla bla. |
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