There was a disciple who was responsible for brewing and
serving tea for his master. His master had a precious antique
teapot, which the master loved very much. Once, perhaps
because he was too deep in samadhi and his limbs became
weak, the disciple broke the teapot inadvertently. He was
frightened to death, having no idea about how to explain it
to his master.The time for serving tea arrived, and the
disciple was standing there in a foolish manner, not knowing
what to do. Finally, he came up with a clever way to save
himself!Straightening his clothes, he went inside, bowed to
his master ceremoniously and said, "Master, I have a big
problem, which has caused a lot of concern in my mind. I
have wanted to ask you about this for a long time; but
dared not do so, fearing that I would trouble master. I
wonder if I may ask you today." The master said, "Of
course you may. Why didn't you ask sooner? You came
here to follow master because you need to ask questions!"
So the disciple asked, "Master! Why is it that for everything,
death follows birth? Why must there be death? You and I,
are we also going to die? We are practitioners, and being
so sincere, do we still have to die?" His master said, "Oh,
Sure! Shakyamuni Buddha, Jesus, Confucius and Lao-tzu
all had to die. Where there is birth, there must be death!"
Then the disciple continued to ask, "Is there any exception,
anything that will not die?" The master said, "Absolutely
not! Death must follow birth. If the time has come, death
is for sure!" Then the disciple stood up and said, "I report
to master, the time has come for your teapot today!"
