In Engyo-ji Temple, an eighty-year-old Zen master was sun-drying mushrooms under the scorching sun. Abbot Dogen, witnessing this, could not help but say, "Elder, you are so old; why do such labor? Please, do not exhaust yourself. I can find someone to do it for you!"
The old Zen master replied bluntly, "Others are not me!"
Dogen said, "That is true, but there is no need to work in such intense heat!"
The Zen master replied, "If I do not dry mushrooms on a sunny day, must I wait for a cloudy or rainy day?"
Dogen was momentarily speechless.
People often say, "Finish today's work today" and "Do your own tasks yourself." These words are simple, but putting them into practice is difficult. We often find various excuses to justify our procrastination, but results never lie; in the end, we only deceive ourselves.
In life, there are two things one must never do: first, do not "wait" for tomorrow; second, do not "rely" on others. Otherwise, life becomes a waste.
Shinran, the founder of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, lost both parents at a young age. At nine years old, he had already resolved to become a monk and sought out Zen Master Jishin. Jishin asked him, "You are so young; why do you wish to enter the priesthood?"
Young Shinran replied, "Although I am only nine, my parents are gone. I wish to explore the truth behind death and separation, so I must become a monk."
Jishin highly praised his resolve and said, "Very well! I am willing to accept you as a disciple. However, it is late today; I will ordain you tomorrow morning."
Unconvinced, young Shinran replied, "Master, though you say tomorrow, I am young and cannot guarantee my resolve will last until then. Furthermore, you are old and cannot guarantee you will still be alive tomorrow morning."
Jishin clapped his hands in admiration and said joyfully, "Well said! You are absolutely right. I shall ordain you immediately!"
If tomorrow never comes, how will you face it? If life is unpredictable, how can we hold onto today's resolve?
Everyone must face birth, aging, sickness, and death. A child cannot know if their resolve will hold until tomorrow, and an elder cannot know if their life will continue until tomorrow. Can you guarantee that your plans will remain unchanged? No one can predict the future; no one knows if tomorrow brings hope or despair. Therefore, one must live with purpose and not let today become a mere regret of the past.
The Master said by the river, "It flows on, and on, ceaselessly!"
Life cannot afford to wait. Life is fleeting; seize the day.
