Is That So?

The Zen Master Kakuin lived in a town in Japan. He was held in high regard and many people came to him for spiritual teaching. Then it happened that the teenage daughter of his next-door neighbor became pregnant. When being questioned by her angry and scolding parents as to the identity of the father, she finally told them that he was Hakuin, the Zen Master. In great fury the parents rushed over to Hakuin and told him with much shouting that their daughter had confessed that he was the father. All he replied was “Is that so?”

News of the scandal spread through the town and beyond. The Master lost his reputation. This did not trouble him. Nobody came to see him any more. He remained unmoved. When the child was born, the parents brought the baby to Hakuin. “You are the father, you look after him.” The Master raised the boy as his own son. About five years later the mother remorsefully confessed to her parents that he real father of the child was the young man who worked at the butcher shop. In great distress they went to Hakuin to apologize and ask for forgiveness. “We are really sorry.” We have come to take the child back. Our daughter confessed that you are not the father. “Is that so?” is all that he he would say as he handed the child over to them.

A master lives moment by moment, without taking things personally, without becoming anyone’s victim. He does not resist what is happening. He accepted the child and he let go of the child. The ego cannot do this. It reacts.