MAKE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN MONK AND MAN

MAKE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN MONK AND MAN

Make no distinction between monk and man. Revere both equally and do not accord preferential treatment to the monk. One is the rising sun and the other the sun hidden amidst the depths of slowly receding darkness. But both are the same sun with its equal effulgence. The difference lies in perception brought forth from your vantage point of vision or otherwise. The darkness you perceive in the householder is in your soul, not in his. The radiance you receive from the bright face of the monk is issuing from the depths of your soul as well. The monk and the man are the external conditions that spark off your inner distinctive responses consequent on your prior circumstantial conditioning to a great extent. Understand it. Give it up. Now discriminate within and not without. Destroy distinction within and see sameness without. It is all the bright face of God in merry disguise.

Written by Sugata Bose

Photo : Narendranath, Mohendranath and Bhupendranath Datta, the three gems in monk and man.