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0 In a tranquil valley nestled among the misty mountains of Japan, near the ancient city of Kyoto, there lived a revered monk named Hideo, known for his deep teachings on mindfulness and harmony. Every evening, disciples gathered beneath a towering cherry blossom tree to listen to his words, which flowed like a gentle stream, soothing their spirits and enlightening their minds. The setting was serene, with the soft rustle of petals and the distant hum of a temple bell creating an atmosphere of peace.
One evening, as Hideo began his discourse, a playful stray cat wandered into the gathering. The cat, with its sleek black fur and bright amber eyes, prowled among the disciples, meowing loudly and weaving through their seated forms. Its lively antics disrupted the calm focus of the session, as disciples turned their heads to follow the feline intruder. Hideo, observing the distraction, paused and offered a gentle smile. To restore tranquility, he gently scooped up the cat, walked to a nearby bamboo pole, and tied it there with a soft cord, ensuring it was comfortable but unable to roam. The cat settled quietly, and Hideo resumed his teaching, his words once again captivating the group.
From that day onward, this became a ritual. Before each session, Hideo would tie the cat to the bamboo pole, and the disciples would settle in to absorb his wisdom without interruption. The practice worked seamlessly, and the disciples grew accustomed to seeing the cat tethered before every teaching. None questioned it, assuming it was an integral part of the monk’s method.
Years passed, and the original group of disciples completed their studies, bidding farewell to Hideo and returning to their villages across Japan to share his teachings. A new group of eager learners arrived, unfamiliar with the cat’s history. They observed Hideo’s ritual of tying the cat to the pole before each session but never asked why. To them, it appeared to be a sacred act, essential to the pursuit of wisdom. They watched closely, noting every detail of the monk’s actions, from the way he secured the cord to the calm manner in which he began his teachings.
When this new group completed their training, they, too, dispersed to their regions, eager to pass on Hideo’s wisdom. One disciple, named Kenji, settled in a bustling town near Osaka and began teaching beneath a ginkgo tree. Before his first session, he announced to his students, “To attain true knowledge and master meditation, you must first find a cat and a pole. Tie the cat to the pole, and only then can you begin your learning.” His students, puzzled but trusting, scoured the town for cats and poles, believing this was a vital step in their spiritual journey. Kenji, having never questioned the ritual, assumed it was a cornerstone of Hideo’s teachings.
In another village, another disciple preached the same, and soon, across Japan, the practice of tying a cat to a pole became a curious prerequisite for learning. Temples and teaching grounds echoed with the meows of bewildered cats, tied to poles as confused students awaited enlightenment. The true purpose of Hideo’s action—merely a practical solution to a fleeting distraction—was lost, replaced by a ritual that held no real meaning.
Moral of the Story: Never accept something as truth without questioning its purpose. Blindly following traditions or actions without understanding their origins can lead to foolish assumptions, like believing a cat tied to a pole is necessary for wisdom. Always seek clarity and let curiosity guide you, lest you carry a “cat in your head” that clouds your understanding
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