The Parable of the Two Monks 

Two Buddhist monks on a journey came upon a rushing stream. Standing next to the stream was a young, pregnant woman who was clearly in distress.

“Please help me,” she said to the monks. “I have to get to the other side to join my family. But the current is strong, and I’m afraid that I will drown and drown my unborn child with me.”

One of the monks – let’s call him Basho – scolded the woman. “Don’t you see that we are monks? Don’t you realize that we are not allowed to touch a woman?”

The woman admitted that she knew what she was asking was wrong. “And yet there is no one else I can ask,” she said.

Basho shook his head and crossed the stream alone. His companion, Ashwa, stood there for a few moments, thinking. Then he picked up the woman and carried her to the other side.

For the next three days, as the two monks continued on their journey, Basho chastised Ashwa for failing to live up to his moral obligation. “I can’t believe you did that,” he kept saying.

Ashwa nodded, but said nothing.

On the fourth day, Basho made the same charge. But this time, Ashwa spoke: “My brother,” he said, “I admit that my actions were irresponsible. But I put down my burden four days ago. Why are you still carrying yours?”