Two Buddhists, Tanzan and Ekido, were walking a muddy road. Heavy rain was falling. Around a bend, they met a beautiful woman standing at the intersection. She wore a silk kimono and a sash. She hesitated crossing the intersection, for she would dirty her clothing.

Tanzan asked her if she minded him taking her over the muddy water. She agreed. He lifted her up, taking her over the mud hole.

Ekido was silent the rest of the way. No longer feeling able to hold his peace, he said, “Tanzan, you know we monks don't go near females. Especially, to go near young, lovely ones is dangerous.” Tanzen replied, “Brother, I let her down a long time ago. You, I see, are the one still carrying her.”

Today, we can reflect on varied ways this story speaks to us. We on the hot pursuit of the spiritual path or devoted to a religion can have odd qualms. We can easily get attached to rules and ways. We can forget Love is what matters. So, what was more important – That Tanzan express kindness to the woman? Or That Tanzen keep the holy custom?

Possibly, we forget that finally religion and spirituality is tested not by obeying rules, affirming teachings, or performing sacred rites, but by kindnesses we express day-by-day - even when our tradition seeks to define boundaries to our desire to show choiceless Grace.

Let us say "Yes" to Grace. We can do this one act of kindness at a time.

©Brian Wilcox, and OneLife Ministries. 03/09/2010

*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian Kenneth Wilcox, SW Florida. Brian lives a vowed life and with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis.

*Brian welcomes responses to his writings at briankwilcox@yahoo.com . Also, Brian is on Facebook: search Brian Kenneth Wilcox.

*You can order his book An Ache for Union from major booksellers.