Parables
Image via Wikipedia Over the past few weeks, we have listened to several parables that Jesus used to teach his followers. Parables, simple stories that taught a moral or spiritual lesson, were a common means of teaching during Jesus' day. Jesus was a master storyteller! Other great teachers used stories, as well. Here is a parable from the Buddhist traditions: The 84th Problem A man once came to see the Buddha to get help with his problems. After the man had told the Buddha one of his problems and asked for help, the Buddha replied: "I cannot help you get rid of that problem." The man was surprised that the Buddha could not help him in this regard, but he told the Buddha about another problem; he thought to himself that the Buddha should at least be able to help him with that problem. But the Buddha told him "I cannot help you with that problem either." The man started to get impatient. He said: "How can it be that you are the perfectly Enligh...