The Stone Buddha

My Dad who is living with us for three months told this story to us over the dinner.

There is a very famous mountain in China which has the most beautifully carved stone buddha. This stone buddha sits on top of a mountain and receives many many worshippers every day. One day a monk was climbing the steps of the mountain to the buddha. This monk was a very special monk for he can hear conversations of many things. As he was climbing he overheard the stones complaining. They were saying, that buddha on top that everyone is admiring is made out of the same stone as we are. Whereas, we get step upon by thousands everyday, that piece of stone, who is the same as us, stands tall and is worshipped.

Upon reaching the stone buddha on top of the mountain, the monk told the buddha (remember he is a monk of special abilities) what the stones were saying. The stone buddha signed and said, Ah, they may get stepped upon everyday, but I was chiseled, hammered, cut, everyday for three years. The monk walked around the buddha to see if he can see who the sculpture. But no where could he find the name of the sculptor anywhere. The buddha told him the name of the sculptor and told him where he lived.

The monk proceeded to find the sculptor to ask him why he didn't put his name on the sculpture for that would make him famous.

The sculptor smiled. He said everyday, for three years, I would get up before sun rise, climb to the mountain top opposite of this mountain and admired and worshipped this mountain. Then I would descend the mountain only to climb to the top of this mountain to start carving till sunset. Then I would again descend the mountain and climb to the opposite peak to worship the work in progress. For three years, I did this everyday. I have sweated, bled and poured out my heart on this piece of stone. That buddha is part of me and I am part of him. I don't need to put my name on him.