90. UNTYING THE KNOTS

108 Buddhist Parables

The Buddha came to teach his disciples carrying a beautiful silk handkerchief in his hands. Thousands of disciples were surprised to see such an article in the Buddha’s hand.

When the Buddha addressed the gathering, he asked, “What do you see?”

They responded that they saw a beautiful silk handkerchief. Then slowly the Buddha started to put knots on the handkerchief, one after another, until he put five knots.

Then the Blessed One asked whether it was the same handkerchief.

His disciples answered that it was the same handkerchief, yet different, as it was in knots now.

The Buddha continued, “That is what I want you to understand. You are all Buddha but unable to see the silken fine fabric because you are in knots. I am like the same handkerchief but without knots.”

Then the Buddha went on to pull the handkerchief from both sides and asked whether the knots would open this way.

His disciples said that this way the knots will tighten and become more difficult to open.

The Blessed One asked, “Why do you then try to open your knots by pulling? You are making it more complicated. If one had to open these knots, what would be needed to be done?”

One monk answered that he would need to come close, observe and try to understand how the knots were formed. If one saw how they were formed, one would be able to undo them.

Then the Buddha said, “Now, O Monks, go and meditate upon your own knots.”

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