The Stone That Was Afraid of Pain
故事全文
Once upon a time, there was a carver. He wanted to pick the best stone from two stones to make a Buddha statue for a temple. However, after choosing the stone, and picking up his chisel, he had only just begun carving, when the stone cried out in pain. The carver told the stone, “If you are not carved, you will remain an ordinary rock. Can you bear the pain for a little while?”The stone replied, “I’m afraid of pain. Please stop!”
The carver had no choice but to use the other stone. This stone was not as good as the first one, but no matter how hard the carver hammered and chiseled, he bore the pain without making a sound. Soon after, the stone was transformed into a beautiful Buddha statue, and was worshipped in the temple every day.
As for the first stone who was afraid of pain, he was used to fill a hole in the ground. Every day, he had to endure the pain of being stepped upon, and having cart wheels run over him. He finally realized that if he could not bear the pain of being carved, not only couldn’t he become a Buddha statue that everyone worshipped, but he had to endure far greater pain!
