A young student
approached his guru one day and said: "Master, you have spoken so
much about karma, but I do not yet understand it. How can I learn
about karma?"
The guru smiled
and said to the youth: "Come with me." The two then proceeded to
walk silently to the edge of the village where workers were busily
engaged in making bricks for a house being built.
The two stood and
watched the activity of the brick makers for some time, and then the
guru asked: "Now do you understand karma?"
"No, Master," the
lad replied.
"I see," said the
old man. He then leaned over and picked up a freshly made brick
which he handed to the student. "Here. Carry this brick with you
everywhere you go. Do not put it down under any circumstances. Do
you understand that?"
"Yes, Master."
"Good," said the
guru. "Come back to me in a year." With that the guru turned and
walked away.
A year later to
the day the student returned, brick in hand, to his guru. The youth
was barely able to contain his frustration and irritation.
"Master, I have
done exactly as you told me. I have carried this brick with me
everywhere, and it has been nothing more than an aggravation and a
nuisance and several other things I will not mention in your Holy
Presence. And I have learned nothing at all about karma!"
The guru looked
sternly at the youth. "Did you at any time set the brick down?" he
asked in a sharp voice.
"No, Master. I carried it everywhere," came the reply.
A twinkle came to the guru's eye as he asked: "Now do you understand
karma?"
