True Reformation

image from: www.en.wikipedia.org

Ryokan devoted his life to the study of Zen. One day he heard that his nephew, despite the admonitions of relatives, was spending his money on a courtesan. In as much as the nephew had taken Ryokan's place in managing the family estate and the property was in danger of being dissipated, the relatives asked Ryoken to do something about it.

Ryokan had to travel a long way to visit his nephew, whom he had not seen for many years. The nephew seemed pleased to meet his uncle again and invited him to remain overnight.

All night Ryokan sat in meditation. As he was departing in the morning he said to the young man: "I must be getting old, my hand shakes so. Will you help me tie the string of my straw sandal?" The nephew helped him willingly. "Thank you," finished Ryokan, "you see, a man becomes older and feebler day by day. Take good care of yourself." 

Then Ryokan left, never mentioning a word about the courtesan or the complaints of the relatives. But, from that morning on, the dissipations of the nephew ended. 

(Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki, "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones")  

Pembaharuan Yang Sejati

Ryokan mengabdikan hidupnya untuk mempelajari Zen. Suatu hari ia mendengar bahwa  keponakannya suka menghambur-hamburkan uang di tempat pelacuran, walaupun kerabat-kerabatnya sudah mengingatkannya. Karena si keponakan, yang telah menggantikan posisi Ryokan dalam mengelola usaha keluarga, sedang dalam bahaya akibat pemborosan, kerabat-kerabatnya meminta Ryokan untuk melakukan suatu tindakan.

Ryokan melakukan perjalanan jauh untuk mengunjungi keponakannya, yang tidak ia jumpai selama bertahun-tahun. Keponakannya terlihat senang bertemu dengan pamannya lagi dan menawarkan untuk menginap.

Sepanjang malam Ryokan duduk bermeditasi. Saat ia sedang bersiap-siap untuk pergi pada keesokan paginya, ia meminta tolong kepada keponakannya, "Saya sudah semakin tua, tangan saya sudah bergetar. Dapatkah kau menolongku mengikatkan tali sandal jerami ini?" Keponakannya menolongnya dengan senang hati. "Terima kasih," balas Ryokan, "Kau lihat sendiri, kian hari seseorang akan semakin tua dan semakin lemah. Jagalah dirimu baik-baik." 

Lalu Ryokan pergi, tanpa sedikitpun menyinggung tentang pelacuran ataupun keluhan dari keluarganya. Tetapi sejak pagi itu, pemborosan uang oleh keponakannya itu berakhir.

(Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki, "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones")