Source: The Internet
There was once a famous Professor of Economics. Students who were taught by him seldom attained credits in their studies. The reason for this was that the professor was often not cheerful, stern and was serious in speech and manner. His teaching style was old-fashioned, and he gave out too many assignments that were too hard. Students chose to either miss out on his lessons or mess around instead. They were not willing to pay the slightest bit of attention to the old professor’s words.
However, this professor was the country’s top expert in Economics. Moreover, the few famous financial specialists were all his favourite students. Therefore, those who wanted to acclaim a certain degree of fame in the field of Economics studies, must first pass through the professor’s gate!
One day, a student was seen walking close by the side of the professor. They were talking and laughing with each other. Those around were surprised. Later, somebody asked the student, “What’s the matter with you, trying to flatter that old-fashioned professor by following him around everywhere! Please have some self-respect!”
The student replied, “You can summon the mountain to come to you, and after calling three times, the mountain stays absolutely still and doesn’t move at all; since the mountain doesn’t come to me, then it’s better for me to approach the mountain instead!
The professor is just like the mountain. Therefore, since the professor’s teaching methods don’t suit my mode of learning, then it’s better that I adapt to the professor’s teaching concepts instead. After all, my aim is to master Economics. Therefore, if I’m determined to hunt for treasures from the sacred mountain, and that sacred mountain won’t come to me, of course, I need to go over to the mountain to hunt myself!”
This student turned out to be outstanding just as expected. A few years after graduation, he became one of the most famous figureheads in the field of Finance and Commerce. But his fellow classmates all stayed at the same place and insisted on ‘Summoning the Mountain’!
Just think, as we go through life, if we cannot summon the mountain, should we really go and adapt to the mountain? In fact, if we go along with the constant changes in our environment and adjust accordingly, we show great wisdom than those who willingly sit and wait for the egoistic echoes of their own scream and shout. The life of those who are aware of this will definitely be greatly enriched and more colourful.
When we cannot change things, no matter how hard we try, there is no harm in learning to adapt. At times, the harmonization that results from adapting, in fact, can stimulate and arouse a greater potential in life. If you wait until you possess definite terms and abilities, those who are required to adapt you, will naturally be defeated.
The famous saying: ‘Unable to Summon the Mountain, let’s go over instead!’ has enabled me to settle a lot of conflicts and sort out many difficult situations.
When we cannot change our environment, we should learn to adapt to the environment. When we have difficulties in changing others, we should change ourselves to adapt others.
I have discovered that ‘Unable to Summon the Mountain, I will go to the Mountain’ actually achieves the same results!
Postscript
Some disciples are egoistic, disrespectful, unrestrained, and insist that Guru should adapt to them! This situation is impossible because the disciple is ‘Summoning the Mountain’. Therefore, the verses of the《50 Stanzas on Devotion to the Guru》in Vajrayana state:
“In accordance with the Sutras and Vinaya of both the Exoteric and Esoteric Schools of Buddhism, Quote some ‘Accept and Serve’ Guru’s ways,
After listening to these《50 Stanzas on Devotion to the Guru》and can express one’s pure Bodhi Mind,
Then you can surely attain the Buddha’s Wisdom of Vajra, … … ,
Stand to greet the Guru even you are seated.”
‘Accept and Serve’ means to accept and cherish one’s Guru.
Besides showing respect to Guru, the verse ‘Stand to greet the Guru even you are seated’ means to teach you, to train you to adapt to the Mountain (remark: a metaphor of Guru)!
