Teaspoon monk

A cool buddhist story I heard recently which I wanted to share with y’all…

A young monk went up to the head monk and said:

I need a transfer. I need to get away from this monastery and into a better one. All the monks here are rude to me and when they’re not rude to me they’re bitching, moaning, or even gossiping. I can’t take it anymore, I want out.

The head monk said: sure no problem I can organise a transfer for you but just before I do can you do something for me?

‘Sure, anything’ the young monk replied

The head monk smiled and said:

“Tomorrow, can you spend the whole day taking this teaspoon of water around as much of the monastery and our grounds as possible without spilling a drop?”

Perplexed but eager to get out of this toxic environment, the young monk agreed.

So, the young monk went off and diligently gave the lil teaspoon of water a tour of the grounds without spilling a drop. Then at the end of the day he returned to the head monk.

The head monk thanked him and asked the young monk about his day.

The young monk said ‘it was hard but I got it done’.

The head monk then asked if the young monk had heard any rudeness directed toward him?

He said ‘no’.

“Did you hear any bitching or moaning?”

“No.”

“Any gossip?”

“No.”