The Third Discourse
The
Paradox of the Good and the Wise
Fu Hsiang: Your form is
improving, soon we will be able to move
to the smaller circle16
in your exercises.
Men Chow: Thankyou sifu.
Sifu, yesterday I asked you how it was possible
for me to remain a Buddhist and believe in what
you are teaching.
Fu Hsiang: There are many kinds
of Buddhist. Perhaps you cannot remain
the Buddhist you are and learn from me. But
perhaps you can become a different kind of
Buddhist.
Men Chow: At the moment I am no
kind of Buddhist at all. My mind keeps asking me
"Why be good, because goodness is an
illusion." And I have no answer.
Fu Hsiang: It is a question that
has troubled some great minds. Philosophers have
thought that since they could not locate goodness
in the external world, that talking of things as
good or evil was senseless; like the lowing of
cows or the bleating of sheep17
. Others have said that such remarks are only
ways of describing how one feels18 or a way of
commanding others19
.
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