MIND MATTERS

MIND MATTERS - 1

Once two Buddhist monks were walking on the road to the monastery. It was just after a heavy downpour and the water was gushing on the road, and there was slush of mud everywhere. They saw a very beautiful young lady, dressed in finest linen and silk and with costliest jewellery and shoes, standing on the pavement helplessly, unable to cross the road. One of the monks, without hesitation, went upto the lady, lifted her on his shoulders like a delicate flower, and left her on the opposite pavement.

Other monk was shocked by his fellow's act. Actually they had restrictions, not to talk, or even lookup or think of ladies, leave alone touching them. He kept quite. But as they reached Monastery, he couldn't keep quite and asked the first monk. "I am wondering about that act of yours?"
"Act? Which act?"
"That, knowing, we had to maintain a distance from ladies, you touched that lady, took her on your shoulders and left her on the opposite pavement?"
Laughing the first monk replied, "Yeah, I took her on the shoulders and left on the opposite pavement. But look at you, you are still taking her with you in your mind !!!"

MIND MATTERS - 2

There were two friends, one of them was very pious. One evening the first fellow asked the other to accompany him to a temple, where there was religious discourse. Second friend told, he couldn't accompany him, as he was going to see a dance of a famous danseuse.

So the first fellow went to the discourse, and while he was attending it, he thought of his friend in the dance program. Thought how he would have enjoyed, if he accompanied his friend rather coming to the discourse.

Meanwhile, in the dance program, the second friend was thinking of his friend. He thought how foolish was he to deny going to a holy place for eternal matters and coming to this unholy place to see this dance. He was thinking how lucky his friend would be, for attending the discourse and knowing more about love, life and god. He was filled with repentance.

The two friends died instantly. First friend was sent to hell while the other was shown the Heaven gates. Upon asking, the voice above answered, "Though you were in the religious discourse, you were thinking of the dance program and the danseuse. You were missing those worldly matters and became sinner. While your friend, though was with the danseuse thought of you and the blessings you would be getting and so he is pure in his thoughts "

(These are the stories I read/heard somewhere, I don't know when, and thought of sharing with you all)