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  • Recorded on: 17 Jul 2007
  • Language: English, Hungarian
  • Length: 0h 06m

Forgetting is not the same as forgiving

The mind clings to rules while wisdom sees their essence. A master instructs two departing monks to avoid touching women. Years later, they encounter a woman needing to cross a river. One monk carries her across. As they near their return, the monk who did not carry her questions this breach of the rule. The one who carried her reveals the true burden is not the action but the memory of it. He performed a necessary service and released it. His brother, however, has carried the judgment for nine years. The rule was a boundary for the mind, not a chain for compassion. The one fixated on the transgression remains bound, while the one who acted with detachment is free. The lesson is about where we place our attention and what we choose to carry forward.

"Gurudeva told us when we left not to touch a woman. You did not merely touch her—you carried her on your back."

"Nine years ago, I set her down on the riverbank. Yet, you are still carrying her with you."

Filming location: Vép, Hungary

Two monks, gurubhāī, were traveling the land. When they received initiation, their master instructed them: "Go, perform your tapasyā and teach. Return after twelve years." They departed with mixed feelings. As they left, the master called, "Wait a moment. You may do as you please, but be careful. Do not touch women." And so they journeyed forth. After three years, they rested by a riverbank, eating fruit. The river was swollen with monsoon rains. A young woman approached and pleaded, "Please, can you help me? My father sent me to the village across the river, but I cannot swim." One monk replied, "We are also going that way. Rest awhile, share some fruit with us, and we will help you cross." Later, wading into the water with their sticks, one monk said to her, "Sit on my back and hold my shoulders tightly. I may need to swim, so do not let go." They crossed the river safely. On the far bank, they bid her farewell: "All the best, sister. Take care." Grateful, she said, "Please tell me if I can ever do anything for you. Thank you." The monk who had carried her answered, "Yes. Learn to swim. Then you will be free next time." They parted ways. Nine more years passed. The two monks neared their master's ashram, as the twelve-year return was due. Guru Pūrṇimā was in three days. They were joyful at the prospect of seeing their Gurudeva. Sitting on a rock under the moonlight three nights before Pūrṇimā, they talked happily. They wondered how Gurudeva would look, how he would receive them, whether he would be happy or angry, how many blessings they would get, and what questions he might ask. Then one brother said to the other, "Thank you for reminding me of Gurudeva's Vākya. Gurudeva told us when we left not to touch a woman. You did not merely touch her—you carried her on your back. When Gurudeva asks, what will you answer?" The other monk replied, "This is interesting, but I am surprised. Why? What surprises you? Nine years ago, I set her down on the riverbank. Yet, you are still carrying her with you. What will you answer?"

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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