The Real Reason
The Korean Zen master Hyunoong Sunim was holding a discussion at San Francisco Zen Center. A student asked him the reason human beings persist in habits that cause them harm, sometimes long after they have ceased to be pleasurable.
"In Christianity," answered Hyunoong Sunim, "this is known as original sin. In Buddhism, we call it delusion." He looked around the room. "Why is there delusion?"
He shrugged his shoulders and lifted both hands into the air. "No reason!"
At this he laughed heartily.
- Sean Murphy, One Bird, One Stone, (Renaissance Books)
