Walking to the Hermitage
Map
View from the Hermitage
Phillipa Tipper in full flow!
A young monk was seeking enlightenment from an older, wiser monk, a
hermit.
He travelled a long
way to the hermit’s cave and sat with him waiting for words of wisdom. They ate
together, they sat together and the days passed.
One day the monks
were travelling and came to a lake. They saw a young woman attempting to cross
the lake. There was a strong current in places and deep parts of the lake. The
young woman cried out to them and asked if they could help her cross to the
other side.
The two monks glanced at one another because they had taken vows not to touch a woman.
Then, without a word, the older monk picked up the woman, carried her across the lake, placed her gently on the other side, and carried on his journey.
The younger monk couldn’t believe what had just happened. After rejoining his companion, he was speechless, and an hour passed without a word between them.
Two more hours passed, then three, finally the younger monk could contain himself any longer, and blurted out, “As monks, we are not permitted to be near to a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?”
The older monk looked at him and replied, “Brother, I set her down on the other side of the lake, why are you still carrying her?”
About the Hermitage
What is a Hermitage - the dwelling of a hermit, especially when small and remote.
| synonyms: | retreat, refuge, haven, sanctuary, sanctum, asylum, hideaway, hideout, hiding place,shelter |
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