In an old mountainside village, a young man would pass by the local monastery daily on his way to work. He could not help but notice one monk in particular who was always working in the courtyard of the monastery and who always greeted him with a smile and a bow with a serene smile on his face. He would often meet the same monk on his way back from work.
As days passed, the young man took a liking for the old monk and his serene demeanor. He found it very alluring and wondered how one could be so peaceful.
One day, after exchanging the usual courtesies, the young man struck up a conversation with the monk. He asked him, ‘Have you always been a monk?’
The monk replied, ‘Oh no, I only entered the monastery five years ago.’
‘What were you doing before you became a monk?’ the young man inquired.
‘Oh, I chopped wood, carried water, and cooked,’ responded the monk.
‘What do you do now?’ the young man asked.
‘Oh, pretty much the same. My monk duties are chopping wood, carrying water, and cooking. Now I am extremely happy!’
‘But what is the difference?’ asked the young man, intrigued.
‘The difference is this,’ the monk explained, ‘Before, when I chopped wood, I was constantly worrying about the water I had to carry. And when I was carrying water, I was always thinking and planning ahead about my cooking. But now, as a monk, when I chop wood, I chop wood. When I carry water, I carry water, and when I cook, I cook. It is most enjoyable !!‘