In the Shadow of Mortal Sin

Abstract

There is a well-known Zen story of two traveling monks who were trying to cross a river. When they were almost across, a young woman called out to them from the bank they had just left. She said she was afraid to get into the water because of the current. “Could one of you take me to the other side?” she asked. One of the monks hesitated, but the other returned, quickly placed her on his shoulders, took her across the river, and put her down on the other side. She thanked him and went on her way.