Almost blind at the age of ninety-six and no longer able to teach or work about the monastery, Zen Master Yamamoto decided it was time to die, so he stopped eating. When asked by his monks why he refused his food, he replied that he had out-lived his usefulness and was only a bother to everybody.
Now ninety-six... it is enough. And the old man thinks that now it is time to die, so he stops eating food. Death is just a rest. It is time to rest. He starts preparing to retire. This is the understanding that is needed.
The disciples told him, "If you die now" - it was January and very cold - "when it is so cold, everybody will be uncomfortable at your funeral and you will be an even greater nuisance, so please eat!"
Those were also great people. Mm? - the reason they give: "Please just think of the cold. You will be dying, it is January and much too cold, and you will be a greater nuisance to all of us. We will have to go to your funeral - so start eating."
This can happen only in a Zen monastery with a Zen Master and Zen disciples. Nobody is worried about the death. Death is okay. The Master is ready to die, but look at the disciples. Those disciples are also very close to enlightenment. They say, "Stop your nonsense! Right now it is not a good time. Why do you want to create trouble for us? Yes, you are a bother - ninety-six years old - but that will be even more bothersome, dying in the middle of January. Please eat!"
So the old man laughed, he resumed eating, but when it became warm again he stopped, and not long after quietly toppled over and died.
Now ninety-six... it is enough. And the old man thinks that now it is time to die, so he stops eating food. Death is just a rest. It is time to rest. He starts preparing to retire. This is the understanding that is needed.
The disciples told him, "If you die now" - it was January and very cold - "when it is so cold, everybody will be uncomfortable at your funeral and you will be an even greater nuisance, so please eat!"
Those were also great people. Mm? - the reason they give: "Please just think of the cold. You will be dying, it is January and much too cold, and you will be a greater nuisance to all of us. We will have to go to your funeral - so start eating."
This can happen only in a Zen monastery with a Zen Master and Zen disciples. Nobody is worried about the death. Death is okay. The Master is ready to die, but look at the disciples. Those disciples are also very close to enlightenment. They say, "Stop your nonsense! Right now it is not a good time. Why do you want to create trouble for us? Yes, you are a bother - ninety-six years old - but that will be even more bothersome, dying in the middle of January. Please eat!"
So the old man laughed, he resumed eating, but when it became warm again he stopped, and not long after quietly toppled over and died.
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