Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Relativism?
A monk was scorned by his master as he asked to be allowed to smoke while praying; later, another monk was praised by the same master because he vowed to try to say his prayers while smoking!
- Adapted from a common story.
- Adapted from a common story.
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I suspect the master was anticipating the student's finding an inherent contradiction between smoking and prayer, and was counting on him to make the right choice of which to give up.
This is somewhat similar to the Quaker story of the nobleman who, when he became a Friend, asked George Fox if he should give up wearing his sword. Fox relied, "Wear it as long as thou canst."
On the other hand, I think there's something to be said for turning smoking, or any other regular activity into a mindful, prayerful moment. There is certainly more beauty and sanctity in measuring out tobacco and rolling a cigarette than in just shaking one out of a pack.
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This is somewhat similar to the Quaker story of the nobleman who, when he became a Friend, asked George Fox if he should give up wearing his sword. Fox relied, "Wear it as long as thou canst."
On the other hand, I think there's something to be said for turning smoking, or any other regular activity into a mindful, prayerful moment. There is certainly more beauty and sanctity in measuring out tobacco and rolling a cigarette than in just shaking one out of a pack.
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