enlightenment stories
A great Japanese emperor used to go round the town in the night. He was very much puzzled: whenever he went he would find one beggar always awake, standing under a tree and always watching here and there. He seemed to have nothing. What was he watching?
The king became curious. He might have some treasure or some gold or some diamonds or…. What was the matter? Why was he always alert? The whole town slept and he was alert!
So one day the king went there and asked, ’I have become too curious. It is not good and I should not poke my nose in. It is your businesses; if you want to be awake the whole night, you can be, but if you can answer…. What have you got? Why do you go on being so alert? Even my guards on the palace fall asleep but you are never asleep. What is the matter?’
The beggar laughed. He said, ’You have nothing to lose! Your guards and you all can sleep; you have nothing to lose. I have something to lose. I have to watch, continuously watch. Sleep I cannot afford!’
And then the king looked at the face of the man. He had never seen such a beautiful face, such a happy face. Those eyes were so crystal-clear, silent and peaceful and the face was just radiant with some unknown energy and luminosity. The king fell at the beggar’s feet and he said, ’Make me a disciple of yours. What you have got, I would also like to have!’
