Illusion

Once a young disciple approached his master and said, "O my God and Master, I can still hardly understand what you mean by calling the world an illusion. "

The master said, "Your time has arrived to understand what I mean. "

The disciple was overwhelmed with joy. The master said, "Go and bring me the painting you showed me yesterday. "

The disciple brooded, "What has a painting got to do with the Master's claim that the world is an illusion. . . ?" When he reached his master's presence with the painting, the master told him to explain it to him. " The boy said, "Sir, I have painted a rag-picker. The unfortunate child is in a bending posture by the side of a drain. I observed him a few days back when I was taking a walk on the roof. "

The master said to him, "Go and see if the child is still there or not. . " The disciple obediently went to the roof. He was puzzled to see the rag-picker was still there. . !" He came downstairs and reported the matter to the master. The master said, "Go to him and say I want to talk to him. "

The disciple was happy that the kind master would surely take pity on the poor rag-picker and, as was his won't, help him substantially. But reaching the spot he was disappointed to find that there was no one but a garbage heap on top of which lay a dirty piece of white fabric. Still curious, he climbed the stairs and from the roof he saw the garbage heap immaculately resembling the rag-picker he had painted. . "

He went to the master and related everything. The master looked him in the face and said, "Now you understand the meaning of illusion. . . ?"

Getting an affirmative response, the master said, "Always try to find out what is true and what is false. Recollect your own hardships and suffering. Also, think of the plight of people around you. Recall the faces of your loved ones who are no more with you. Meditate on your own death ten minutes every morning. If you try to run away from it, be sure it will ever keep chasing you. Only the wise fear death and while still active and dynamic, find the way out of it. Those of you who now consider yourselves bodies, if you follow my advice, will soon discover that you're souls eternal without any beginning and end. "