Let us rejoice in our Uniqueness !!

A crowd came flocking to see a Zen Monk at is hermitage from morning till night. Many would prostrate at his feet and seek his blessings. 

This slowly become intolerable and unbearable to the Samurai - the army commander of the province. One day he went to the Zen monk and said "I am the Samurai of this country. I have thousands of soldiers under my command. But you, who are almost like a beggar who looks to someone else for his next meal, get more respect and regard that I do ! How is that ? I feel miserable and jealous looking at you".

The monk led the Samurai out of his hermitage. It was a full moon night. He pointed to the moon and asked "What is that ?". The samurai assertively replied "Moon".

The monk then pointed to a rose which was blooming in the garden and asked "Now,  what is this ?" and the samurai said "A Rose".

The monk spoke very gently to the samurai - "Does this Rose ever compare itself to the Moon and ask "Oh, Why am I not bright and white like you ? Does the Moon look at the Rose and ask "Why am I not colourful like you ?"

"The Rose possesses one kind of beauty, while the moon is pretty and pleasant in another way."

Even before the monk stopped speaking, the samurai realised the truth. With moist eyes, he begged pardon of the monk and left in peace. He realised that each aspect of this wonderful nature and creation is unique in its own way. 

Let us rejoice in our uniqueness !

Let us experience and celebrate the deeper inter-connectedness !