The Friend Who Followed in the Footsteps of Meditation

A small temple lay quietly among a pine forest, where the evening wind rustling through the branches created a murmuring sound like distant chanting. In a simple room, two meditation masters sat facing each other, with only a steaming pot of tea between them. One was Master Ngu To Su Gioi, renowned throughout the region for his profound, metaphorical answers that left listeners contemplating for days. The other was a lesser-known meditation master who usually sat silently beside his friend, speaking little but whose gaze was always as deep as a bottomless abyss.

Master Ngu To Su Gioi had practiced for many years and attained strange states of meditative concentration. He saw clearly that his every movement was a wondrous function flowing from a purified mind, every gesture filled with awareness. His insights soared like clouds in the sky: "An ant swallows an elephant," "The ocean falls into a drop of water" – statements that seemed nonsensical yet contained the depth of realization. People came to consult him, and he answered tirelessly. His fame spread far and wide, and many believed he had reached the level of a sage.

But the other friend—the silent meditation master—saw something no one else did. While Master Ngu To Su Gioi reveled in his lofty insights, there still lingered within him a trace of arrogance, a secret greed hidden deep in his mind. Like a dead snake on the path, seemingly harmless yet still dangerous if disturbed. The other master did not speak of this; he simply sat beside him, like a guardian of the most precious treasure.

One evening, as dusk fell, Master Ngu To Su Gioi suddenly said to his friend, "I see that all things are empty. Great and small no longer differ. Perhaps I have arrived."

His friend looked at him, his voice calm. "You see that, but is there still arrogance in your heart?"

Master Ngu To Su Gioi was startled, a flash of confusion crossing his face. He did not answer, only lowered his gaze to the cup of tea, now cold.

The other meditation master continued, "The Buddha taught to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion. You may speak of wondrous things, but if even a trace of arrogance remains in your heart, liberation is still far away."

Master Ngu To Su Gioi sighed, knowing his friend was right. Yet he still could not completely let go of his delight in his own insights.

Then one day, Master Ngu To Su Gioi fell gravely ill. Lying in bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, his breath grew weak. His friend sat beside him, holding his hand tightly. "I must go now," Master Ngu To Su Gioi whispered. "But I am not ready."

The other meditation master smiled, his eyes full of compassion. "Do not worry. I will go with you."

Master Ngu To Su Gioi stared at his friend. "What are you saying? You are still healthy and can continue practicing. Why would you follow me?"

"Because without me by your side, you will drift in the cycle of rebirth for a very long time. I cannot let my friend lose his way."

Master Ngu To Su Gioi wanted to speak further, but his breath ceased. At that very moment, the other meditation master also closed his eyes, passing away in peace. Two friends, two meditation masters, left the world in the same instant.

In his next life, Master Ngu To Su Gioi was reborn as Su Dongpo—a celebrated poet of China. He possessed extraordinary literary talent, but his life was full of upheaval—promotions and demotions, seven wives, countless fluctuations of fame and fortune. His friend, however, was reborn as the Venerable Liao Yuan Fo Yin—a high monk who left home to become a monk from childhood, his birth radiating light throughout the house. The two met again and formed a deep friendship. The Venerable Fo Yin always stayed by Su Dongpo’s side, reminding him to practice and helping him overcome life’s temptations.

Many years passed. Su Dongpo grew old, experienced all the ups and downs, and finally began to delve deeply into meditative concentration. He attained the fruit of Anagamin, gained spiritual powers, and walked in the breath, reaching a high state. Only then did the Venerable Fo Yin let go and enter nirvana. His friend had passed the crisis of consciousness and would not fall back again.

Today, people still remember Su Dongpo as a great poet, but few know that behind his brilliant verses lay a life of arduous practice and a friend who sacrificed an entire lifetime to guide him on the path to enlightenment.

**The Meaning of the Story**

This story reminds us that even if we attain lofty insights or strange states in meditation, if greed, hatred, delusion, and arrogance are not fully eradicated, we have not yet become sages. The core of the Buddha’s teachings is to eliminate afflictions and cultivate ethics. The wonders of meditation are merely secondary and should not be overly attached to. Never think you surpass the Buddha, for the Buddha saw clearly what needed to be said and what was unnecessary.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang